Authors : Sapna; Lovepreet Kaur; Sanjiv Duggal

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 4 - April

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/mr4c7bmm

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/2tnf8reh

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26apr1542

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Nasal drug delivery systems represent a promising non-invasive strategy for enhancing systemic bioavailability, particularly for medications with poor oral absorption, by bypassing first-pass hepatic metabolism and enabling rapid onset through the highly vascularized nasal mucosa with surface area approximately 150 cm² and volume 15 ml. This route is especially valuable for central nervous system disorders affecting over a billion people globally, as it facilitates blood-brain barrier crossing via olfactory pathways, while offering advantages like lower doses, reduced side effects, improved peptide/protein absorption with enhancers, and high patient compliance via self-administration. Absorption occurs primarily via paracellular pathway for hydrophilic drugs or transcellular pathway for lipophilic drugs, with barriers mitigated by ideal drug traits like low dose under 25 mg, solubility, and stability. Formulation strategies employ excipients such as chitosan for permeation, HPMC for viscosity, preservatives like benzalkonium chloride, dosage forms including drops, metered sprays like oxymetazoline or fluticasone for decongestion/rhinitis, gels for retention, powders for stability, and advanced carriers like liposomes, microspheres, nanoparticles to prolong residence, sustain release, and boost efficacy. Despite drawbacks like irritation and smaller absorption surface versus gastrointestinal tract, ongoing innovations in mucoadhesives and devices position nasal delivery as a viable alternative to injections, particularly for central nervous system targeting and local therapies.

Keywords : Nasal Drug Delivery, Systemic Bioavailability, BBB Crossing, Nasal Sprays, Permeation Enhancers, Mucoadhesive Agents.

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