Eel skin as a model substrate for mucoadhesion studies

• Main Authors: BURGALASSI, SUSI, SAETTONE, MARCO FABRIZIO, Panichi L, Bernicchi R, Urbano U
• Other Authors: Burgalassi, Susi, Panichi, L, Bernicchi, R, Urbano, U, Saettone, MARCO FABRIZIO
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English; French
• Published: 1997
• Subjects: mucoadhesion; eel skin; mucin; mucoadhesive polymer; hydrogel; polymer matrice; tensile apparatus; Anguilla anguilla
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11568/51070

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.