Salcaprozate sodium (SNAC) is a novel oral absorption enhancer widely used in pharmaceutical research and delivery system development. It temporarily increases the permeability of gastrointestinal epithelium by interacting with cell membrane lipid bilayers, enabling efficient absorption of macromolecular drugs (e.g., heparin, insulin, peptides, proteins) that are normally poorly absorbed orally. As a key component of oral drug delivery formulations, it improves bioavailability and reduces dosage frequency. It is also used in developing oral vaccines, anti-infective agents, and gastrointestinal disease treatments. FDA recognizes SNAC as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) for human consumption, supporting its safety in clinical applications.
