The Use of Auxiliary Agents to Improve the Mucosal Uptake of Peptides

The mucosal administration of peptide drugs causes a therapeutical response only if significant amounts of the drug are enabled to permeate the absorption membrane based on the mucus layer (I) and the epithelial tissue (II) .The peptide drug transport across the membrane can be improved by the use of mucolytic agents and of permeation enhancers. The generation of novel, more potent permeation enhancers, based on a more exact knowledge of the absorption membrane in combination with appropriate delivery systems strongly improves the bioavailability of mucosally applied peptide drugs.