Bacterial cellulose adhesive composites for oral cavity applications

• Main Authors: Singh, Juhi, Tan, Nigel Chew Shun, Mahadevaswamy, Usha Rani, Chanchareonsook, Nattharee, Steele, Terry W. J., Lim, Sierin
• Other Authors: Interdisciplinary Graduate School (IGS)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: Engineering::Chemical engineering; Bacterial Cellulose; Mucoadhesives; Bioadhesives; Photocuring; Oral Patch
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/152714
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Topical approaches to oral diseases require frequent dosing due to limited wound retention times. A mucoadhesive drug delivery platform is proposed for oral wound sites with soft tissue adhesion capability of up to 7 days. Bacterial cellulose (BC) and photoactivated carbene-based bioadhesives are combined to yield flexible film platform for interfacing soft tissues in dynamic, wet environments. Structure-activity relationships evaluate UV dose and hydration state with respect to adhesive strength on soft tissue mimics. The bioadhesive composite has an adhesion strength ranging from 7-17 kPa and duration exceeding 48 hours in wet conditions under sustained shear forces, while other mucoadhesives based on hydrophilic macromolecules exhibit adhesion strength of 0.5-5 kPa and last only a few hours. The work highlights the first evaluation of BC composites for mucoadhesive treatments in the buccal cavity.