Applications of polydopaminic nanomaterials in mucosal drug delivery

Polydopamine (PDA) is a biopolymer with unique physicochemical properties, including free-radical scavenging, high photothermal conversion efficiency, biocompatibility, biodegradability, excellent fluorescent and thera-nostic capacity due to their abundant surface chemistry. Thus, PDA is used for a myriad of applications including drug delivery, biosensing, imaging and cancer therapy. Recent reports present a new functionality of PDA as a coating nanomaterial, with major implications in mucosal drug delivery applications, particularly muco-adhesion and muco-penetration. However, this application has received minimal traction in the literature. In this review, we present the physicochemical and functional properties of PDA and highlight its key biomedical applications, especially in cancer therapy. A detailed presentation of the role of PDA as a promising coating material for nanoparticulate carriers intended for mucosal delivery forms the core aspect of the review. Finally, a reflection on key considerations and challenges in the utilizing PDA for mucosal drug delivery, along with the possibilities of translation to clinical studies is expounded.

Automated summary

Polydopamine (PDA) is a biopolymer with unique physicochemical properties and has various applications in drug delivery, biosensing, imaging, and cancer therapy. Recent research has discovered the potential of PDA as a coating material for mucosal drug delivery, but there is limited information on this application. This review presents the properties of PDA and its biomedical applications, with a focus on its role as a coating material for nanoparticulate carriers in mucosal drug delivery. The challenges and possibilities of translating this technology to clinical studies are also discussed.