In vitro investigation on the impact of airway mucus on drug dissolution and absorption at the air-epithelium interface in the lungs

Abstract

. Comparison of the permeation profiles of the two drugs indicated that mucus acted as a barrier for salbutamol transport but increased that of indomethacin, suggesting it facilitates the dissolution of poorly soluble drugs. In presence of Calu-3 layers, the permeability of salbutamol was even more restricted while indomethacin transport was enhanced further. This study demonstrates mucus distinctly affects the absorption characteristics of drugs with different physico-chemical properties. Hence, drug-mucus interactions should be considered during the development of inhaled drugs.