Acquired salivary pellicle and oral mucosa (ASP)

The acquired salivary pellicle (ASP) is a thin, acellular, proteinaceous film that forms rapidly on all oral surfaces, including teeth and mucosal tissues, upon contact with saliva (Siqueira et al., 2012, Journal of Dental Research). It consists of a complex mixture of salivary proteins, such as mucins, statherin, and lysozyme, along with lipids and carbohydrates that serve as a protective barrier against acid erosion and mechanical wear (Hannig & Hannig, 2009, Journal of Clinical Periodontology). Biologically, the pellicle regulates the selective attachment of oral microbiota and acts as a lubricant for the oral mucosa, maintaining tissue hydration and integrity (Vitorino et al., 2006, Biomedical Chromatography). In clinical pharmacology, these surfaces are targeted for the delivery of antimicrobial agents and mucoadhesive drugs to treat conditions like dental caries, periodontitis, and oral candidiasis (Zhu et al., 2021, International Journal of Nanomedicine). Therapeutic agents often utilize mucoadhesive polymers to increase residence time on these surfaces, enhancing the efficacy of local treatments (Smart, 2005, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews). However, because it is a dynamic and heterogeneous environment rather than a single molecular entity, targeting the pellicle requires strategies that account for constant turnover and the presence of competing salivary components (Lendenmann et al., 2000, Advances in Dental Research).

Other names

Acquired salivary pellicleOral mucosal pellicleDental pellicleSalivary filmMucosal surface

Drugs interact with this target through electrostatic adsorption to pellicle proteins, mucoadhesion to the underlying epithelium via hydrogen bonding, or by modifying the surface energy to inhibit bacterial attachment and biofilm formation.