摘要 |
A composition that achieves sustained oral drug release is provided. The composition includes liposomes, micelles, or polymeric particles, for example, having a hydrophobic core and an amphipathic corona, wherein the core contains a therapeutic, diagnostic, nutraceutical, cosmeceutical or prophylactic agent to be released, and the corona has targeting ligands immobilized to it. In a preferred embodiment the targeting ligands are bisphosphonate molecules, which enable binding to hydroxyapatite present on teeth. The incorporation of short polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains prevents chain entanglement and ionic interactions, minimizes mucus adhesion, increases particle diffusion rates in mucus, and increases the overall stability of particles in saliva. In a preferred embodiment the agent incorporated is a dental bleaching agent and the ligands selectively bind hydroxyapatite. |