The inherent fragility and instability of mammalian excised mucosal tissues constitutes a serious problem in ex vivo mucoadhesion studies. The present investigation was undertaken to assess the validity of eel (Anguilla anguilla) skin as a model mucous substrate. Eel skin was characterized physically (thickness, water and lipid content), histologically (light microscopy) and physico-chemically (differential scanning calorimetry). Its characteristics had many points in common with those of rabbit and human oral mucosae. A series of polymer-based formulations, both semisolid (hydrogels) and solid (matrices), were tested for mucoadhesion on eel skin using a tensile apparatus, providing data on the work of adhesion, W, to the substrate. A dispersion of hog gastric mucin layered on filter paper was used as a reference mucous surface. In these preliminary tests eel skin compared favorably with the reference substrate, and proved a robust and stable substrate for mucoadhesion studies.
Eel skin as a model substrate for mucoadhesion studies
BURGALASSI, SUSI;SAETTONE, MARCO FABRIZIO
1997-01-01
Abstract
The inherent fragility and instability of mammalian excised mucosal tissues constitutes a serious problem in ex vivo mucoadhesion studies. The present investigation was undertaken to assess the validity of eel (Anguilla anguilla) skin as a model mucous substrate. Eel skin was characterized physically (thickness, water and lipid content), histologically (light microscopy) and physico-chemically (differential scanning calorimetry). Its characteristics had many points in common with those of rabbit and human oral mucosae. A series of polymer-based formulations, both semisolid (hydrogels) and solid (matrices), were tested for mucoadhesion on eel skin using a tensile apparatus, providing data on the work of adhesion, W, to the substrate. A dispersion of hog gastric mucin layered on filter paper was used as a reference mucous surface. In these preliminary tests eel skin compared favorably with the reference substrate, and proved a robust and stable substrate for mucoadhesion studies.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
