Various polymers like thiolated and lectin polymers are recognized as new second generation mucoadhesive polymers. They may be developed by superficial modification of existing polymers, E.g.: lectins or by chemical modification of polymers, E.g.: thiomers. Thiomers are competent of forming disulfide bonds with cysteine subunit by the formation of mucus gel layer covering mucosal membranes. Due to this property they exhibit more mucoadhesive properties compared to unthiolated polymers. Lectins are used for targeting drugs to tumor tissue which is recently under investigation as the human carcinoma cell lines exhibit more lectin binding capacity than the human normal colonocytes. Second generation polymers will acts more effectively in oral cavity, eye conjunctiva, vagina, nasal cavity and gastrointestinal tract. Polymers have been used in beguiling such systems to increase the residence time of the active ingredient at the fervor location. Lectins have the properties like anti-insect activity, anti-tumor activity, anti-viral activity and potential for treatment of AIDS. Lectins have become the focus of intense interest for research and applications in agriculture and medicine. Thiomers have the property of enzyme inhibitory properties, stability of peptides incorporated in to thiomes etc. Thiolated polymers, enable inhibition of tumor cell growth with significantly lower doses of the active substance. In future the efficacy of this new generation mucoadhesive polymers must be computed in terms of quality, compatibility, stability and toxicity.
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