Thiolated Biopolymers: Enhancing Mucoadhesive Properties for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems

Abstract

A class of modified polymers with promising potential for use in medicine administration and other biological applications is thiomers, often called thiolated biopolymers. This review examines the many biopolymers commonly used for thiolation, including hyaluronic acid, pectin, xanthan gum, gelatin, and moringa gum. The process of thiolation involves attaching free thiol groups to the polymer chain, which enhances their ability to form strong covalent bonds with mucosal surfaces and makes them more mucoadhesive. Thiolation procedures, including Traut’s reagent, dithiothreitol (DTT) reduction, dithiol-aromatic compounds, thiol polyethylene glycolamine, and thioglycolic acid, are reviewed here. The importance of thiolation in improving drug delivery systems is emphasized, as it leads to increased mucoadhesion, bioavailability, and the possibility of regulated drug release. Several difficulties, including reduced mechanical strength, increased oxidation sensitivity, and specific toxicity, can be addressed with thiolated polymers. Enhanced drug delivery methods, regenerative medicine applications, and sustainable uses in various industries are some of the future viewpoints discussed in the analysis’s concluding section.