#$%^&*AU2016200707A120160225.pdf#####NANOPARTICLE FORMULATIONS WITH ENHANCED MUCOSAL PENETRATION ABSTRACT Hypotonic formulations were evaluated for delivering water-soluble 5 drugs and for drug delivery with muco-inert (that is, non-adhesive) mucuspenetrating nanoparticles (MPP). Hypotonic formulations markedly increased the rate at which drugs and MPP reached the epithelial surface, including deep into the vaginal folds. Minimally hypotonic formulations, preferably ranging from 20-220 mOsm/kg, provided rapid and uniform 10 delivery of MPP to the entire vaginal surface, with minimal risk of epithelial toxicity. Data also show that there is a higher osmolality in the colon, such that vehicles with an osmolality above that of blood plasma (generally considered isotonic at -300 mOsm/kg), still lead to improvements in distribution in the colon due to rapid, osmotically-induced fluid absorption. 15 The range for improved colon distribution with a hypotonic vehicle in the colon is -20 mOsm/kg-450 mOsm/kg.
