Mucosal nanosystems for improved topical drug delivery: vaginal route of administration

This review represents an attempt to summarize the current developments in the area of mucosal drug delivery destined for localized effects, address the challenges and comment on the potentials this therapy approach offers. Among different mucosal drug delivery systems currently available in the pipelines of pharmaceutical development, we have focused on the delivery systems in nanosize range, as they offer certain advantages which will be herewith discussed in more details. According to their surface properties, mucosal nanosystems are generally classified as conventional (non-mucoadhesive), mucoadhesive and mucus-penetrating nanosystems, while on the structural basis they are often classified as lipid- and polymer-based nanoparticles. Particular emphasis was put on nanosystems for topical vaginal therapy. Most of the presented nanosystems are destined for improved treatment of vaginitis and prevention of sexually transmitted viral diseases.