Progress in nasal drug delivery research based on biomaterials

In recent years, nasal administration has gradually become a research hotspot and is considered a promising alternative to traditional delivery methods owing to its ease of use, avoidance of the first-pass effect, and ability to bypass the blood–brain barrier. The disadvantages of oral and parenteral administration have prompted the use of nasal drug delivery as a convenient alternative to systemic drug availability. However, the rapid clearance of drugs by the nasal mucosal cilia, the presence of different enzymes in the mucosa that affect drug stability, and the insufficient residence time of drugs in the cavum nasi limit the development of nasal administration. Development of effective drug formulations and novel nasal drug delivery devices is now a top priority. With continuous advancements in biotechnology and materials science, the shortcomings of nasal drug delivery have been gradually compensated for by biomaterials. This review highlights biomaterials used in nasal drug delivery and discusses their characteristics and advantages. In addition, this review presents the applications of biomaterials in nasal drug delivery proposed in recent years, especially for diseases related to the central nervous system. Because of their targeting characteristics, the drugs can directly reach the brain, which can enhance the drug utilization rate and reduce side effects. Finally, this review summarizes the latest progress in biomaterial-based nasal drug delivery research, highlighting current research deficiencies and future development directions.