Studies of chitosan/organic acid/Eudragit® RS/RL-coated system for colonic delivery

Formulation and optimization of a single-layer coat for targeting budesonide pellets to the descending Colon

The current budesonide formulations are inadequate for addressing left-sided colitis, and patients might hesitate to use an enema for a prolonged time. This study focuses on developing a single-layer coating for budesonide pellets targeting the descending colon. Pellets containing budesonide (1.5%w/w), PVP K30 (5%w/w), lactose monohydrate (25%w/w) and Avicel pH 102 (68.5%w/w) were prepared using extrusion spheronization technique. Coating formulations were designed using response surface methodology with pH and time-dependent Eudragits. Dissolution tests were conducted at different pH levels (1.2, 6.5, 6.8, and 7.2). Optimal coating formulation, considering coating level and the Eudragit (S + L) ratio to the total coating weight, was determined. Budesonide pellets were coated with the optimized composition and subjected to continuous dissolution testing simulating the gastrointestinal tract. The coating, with 48% S, 12% L, and 40% RS at a 10% coating level, demonstrated superior budesonide delivery to the descending colon. Coated pellets had a spherical shape with a uniform 30 µm thickness coating, exhibiting pH and time-dependent release. Notably, zero-order release kinetics was observed for the last 9 h in colonic conditions. The study suggests that an optimized single-layer coating, incorporating pH and time-dependent polymers, holds promise for consistently delivering budesonide to the descending colon.

Application of inulin/Eudragit RS in 5-ASA pellet coating with tuned, sustained-release feature in an animal model of ulcerative colitis

A tunable release of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) could bring therapeutic benefits in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A 3² factorial design was used to achieve a tuned delivery of 5-ASA pellets in the small and large intestine using a coating composed of inulin/Eudragit RS (RS). The ratio of inulin/RS and coating level were independent variables while the dependent variables were the percent of drug release at pH 1.2 in 2 h and total release of drug in 10 h at pH 6.8. 5-ASA release from pellets was examined at different pH levels and the therapeutic efficacy of the optimum pellets was compared to 5-ASA pellets of Pentasa in rats with ulcerative colitis. The inulin/RS of 18/82 at a coating level of 16% was found to be the optimum for delivery of the drug to the small and large intestine. The coated pellets offered a superior therapeutic outcome compared to uncoated pellets and Pentasa in terms of colitis activity index (CAI), and the colon's tissue enzymes of GSH and MDA. The optimum coating composed of inulin and RS could offer a tuned sustained release of 5-ASA throughout the small and large intestine with the sensitivity of drug release to microbial degradation.

Nanogels of Succinylated Glycol Chitosan-Succinyl Prednisolone Conjugate: Preparation, In Vitro Characteristics and Therapeutic Potential

A novel anionic nanogel system was prepared using succinylated glycol chitosan-succinyl prednisolone conjugate (S-GCh-SP). The nanogel, named NG(S), was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. S-GCh-SP formed a nanogel via the aggregation of hydrophobic prednisolone (PD) moieties and the introduced succinyl groups contributed to the negative surface charge of the nanogel. The resultant NG(S) had a PD content of 13.7% (w/w), was ca. 400 nm in size and had a ζ-potential of −28 mV. NG(S) released PD very slowly at gastric pH and faster but gradually at small intestinal pH. Although NG(S) was easily taken up by the macrophage-like cell line Raw 264.7, it did not decrease cell viability, suggesting that the toxicity of the nanogel was very low. The in vivo evaluation was performed using rats with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. NG(S) and PD alone were not very effective at 5 mg PD eq./kg. However, NG(S) at 10 mg PD eq./kg markedly suppressed colonic damage, whereas PD alone did not. Furthermore, thymus atrophy was less with NG(S) than with PD alone. These results demonstrated that NG(S) is very safe, promotes drug effectiveness and has low toxicity. NG(S) has potential as a drug delivery system for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Drug delivery strategies in the therapy of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a frequently occurring disease in young people, which is characterized by a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The therapy of IBD is dominated by the administration of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs, which suppress the intestinal inflammatory burden and improve the disease-related symptoms. Established treatment strategies are characterized by a limited therapeutical efficacy and the occurrence of adverse drug reactions. Thus, the development of novel disease-targeted drug delivery strategies is intended for a more effective therapy and demonstrates the potential to address unmet medical needs. This review gives an overview about the established as well as future-oriented drug targeting strategies, including intestine targeting by conventional drug delivery systems (DDS), disease targeted drug delivery by synthetic DDS and disease targeted drug delivery by biological DDS. Furthermore, this review analyses the targeting mechanisms of the respective DDS and discusses the possible field of utilization in IBD.

A novel pulsatile drug delivery system based on the physiochemical reaction between acrylic copolymer and organic acid: in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Multilayer-coating technology is the traditional method to achieve pulsatile drug release with the drawbacks of time consuming, more materials demanding and lack of efficiency. The purpose of this study was to design a novel pulsatile drug delivery system based on the physiochemical interaction between acrylic copolymer and organic acid with relatively simpler formulation and manufacturing process. The Enalapril Maleate (EM) pulsatile release pellets were prepared using extruding granulation, spheronization and fluid-bed coating technology. The ion-exchange experiment, hydration study and determination of glass transition temperature were conducted to explore the related drug release mechanism. Bioavailability experiment was carried out by administering the pulsatile release pellets to rats compared with marketed rapid release tablets Yisu. An obvious 4h lag time period and rapid drug release was observed from in vitro dissolution profiles. The release mechanism was a combination of both disassociated and undisassociated forms of succinic acid physiochemically interacting with Eudragit RS. The AUC0-τ of the EM pulsatile pellets and the market tablets was 702.384 ± 96.89 1 hn g/mL and 810.817 ± 67.712 h ng/mL, while the relative bioavailability was 86.62%. These studies demonstrate this novel pulsatile release concept may be a promising strategy for oral pulsatile delivery system.

Combination of Pectin and Eudargit RS and Eudragit RL in the Matrix of Pellets Prepared by Extrusion-Spheronization for Possible Colonic Delivery of 5-Amino Salicylic Acid

BACKGROUND

Different methods have been studied for targeting drugs to the colon, such as pH-based, time dependent and bacterially degradable systems. However, due to variations in physiological conditions of patients, one system alone could not be completely reliable on colonic drug delivery.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was preparation and evaluation of a novel colon-specific drug delivery system for 5-ASA (mesalazine) pellets using pectin as a microbially degradable polymeric carrier and Eudragit RS (ERS) and Eudragit RL (ERL) as time-dependent polymers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Formulations were constructed based on a multilevel full factorial design. Pellets were prepared via extrusion - spheronization and evaluated for physicochemical properties, image analysis, SEM, FT-IR, DSC and in vitro drug release studies in the simulated gastric fluid with pH = 1.2 (SGF), simulated intestinal fluid with pH = 6.8 (SIF) and simulated colonic fluid with pH = 6.8 in presence of pectinolytic enzyme (SCF).

RESULTS

It was shown that in the presence of pectin, formulations without ERL had a relative resistance to drug release in SGF. Pellets containing pectin and the least amount of ERS had the highest burst release effect in SCF. On the other hand, increasing in amount of ERS in the formulations caused a sustained drug release. Presence of pectin in formulations containing ERS and ERL caused sensitivity of formulations to pectinolytic enzyme which can suitable for a colon specific drug delivery system.

CONCLUSIONS

It was shown that combination of pectin and eudragits can relatively control drug release in the upper GI. On the other hand, pectin degraded in the presence of pectinase and formulations were susceptible to the colonic media.

Design, Development, and Optimization of Sterculia Gum-Based Tablet Coated with Chitosan/Eudragit RLPO Mixed Blend Polymers for Possible Colonic Drug Delivery

The purpose of this study is to explore the possible applicability of Sterculia urens gum as a novel carrier for colonic delivery system of a sparingly soluble drug, azathioprine. The study involves designing a microflora triggered colon-targeted drug delivery system (MCDDS) which consists of a central polysaccharide core and is coated to different film thicknesses with blends of chitosan/Eudragit RLPO, and is overcoated with Eudragit L00 to provide acid and intestinal resistance. The microflora degradation property of gum was investigated in rat caecal medium. Drug release study in simulated colonic fluid revealed that swelling force of the gum could concurrently drive the drug out of the polysaccharide core due to the rupture of the chitosan/Eudargit coating in microflora-activated environment. Chitosan in the mixed film coat was found to be degraded by enzymatic action of the microflora in the colon. Release kinetic data revealed that the optimized MCDDS was fitted well into first-order model, and apparent lag time was found to be 6 hours, followed by Higuchi release kinetics. In vivo study in rabbits shows delayed T max, prolonged absorption time, decreased C max, and absorption rate constant (Ka), indicating a reduced systemic toxicity of the drug as compared to other dosage forms.

Design, development and optimization of oral colon targeted drug delivery system of azathioprine using biodegradable polymers

The present study was aimed at designing a microflora triggered colon targeted drug delivery system (MCDDS) based on swellable polysaccharide, Sterculia gum in combination with biodegradable polymers with a view to specifically deliver azathioprine in the colonic region for the treatment of IBD with reduced systemic toxicity. The microflora degradation properties of Sterculia gum was investigated in rat caecal phosphate buffer medium. The polysaccharide tablet cores were coated to different film thicknesses with blends of Eudragit RLPO and chitosan and overcoated with Eudragit L00 to provide acid and intestinal resistance. Swelling and drug release studies were carried out in simulated gastric fluid, SGF (pH 1.2), simulated intestinal fluid, SIF (pH 6.8) and simulated colonic fluid, SCF (pH 7.4 under anaerobic environment), respectively. Drug release study in SCF revealed that swelling force of the Sterculia gum could concurrently drive the drug out of the polysaccharide core due to the rupture of the chitosan/Eudargit coating in microflora activated environment. The degradation of chitosan was the rate-limiting factor for drug release in the colon. Drug release from the MCDDS was directly proportional to the concentration of the pore former (chitosan), but inversely related to the Eudragit RLPO coating thickness.

Enhanced survival of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus by encapsulation with nanostructured polyelectrolyte layers through layer-by-layer approach

The encapsulation of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus through layer-by-layer self-assembly of polyelectrolytes (PE) chitosan (CHI) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) has been investigated to enhance its survival in adverse conditions encountered in the GI tract. The survival of encapsulated cells in simulated gastric (SGF) and intestinal fluids (SIF) is significant when compared to nonencapsulated cells. On sequential exposure to SGF and SIF for 120 min, almost complete death of free cells is observed. However, for cells coated with three nanolayers of PEs (CHI/CMC/CHI), about 33 log % of the cells (6 log cfu/500 mg) survived under the same conditions. The enhanced survival rate of encapsulated L. acidophilus can be attributed to the impermeability of polyelectrolyte nanolayers to large enzyme molecules like pepsin and pancreatin that cause proteolysis and to the stability of the polyelectrolyte nanolayers in gastric and intestinal pH. The PE coating also serves to reduce viability losses during freezing and freeze-drying. About 73 and 92 log % of uncoated and coated cells survived after freeze-drying, and the losses occurring between freezing and freeze-drying were found to be lower for the coated cells.

Impact of glutaraldehyde on in vivo colon-specific release of resveratrol from biodegradable pectin-based formulation

Despite potential therapeutic efficacy of resveratrol on colitis and colorectal cancer, rapid absorption and metabolism at the upper gastro-intestinal (GI) tract prevent its clinical application. To overcome this, we attempted to develop colon-specific multi-particulate calcium-pectinate (Ca-pectinate) formulations of resveratrol. However, they were unable to prevent premature drug release at the upper GI tract. Thus, glutaraldehyde (Glu) was used for further cross-linking of the pectin chains. The formulation conditions and procedure were optimized from the in vitro drug release study. The optimized formulation was subjected to in vivo pharmacokinetic study in rats and compared with the unmodified Ca-pectinate and suspension formulation of resveratrol. Spherical particles (∼1 mm diameter) with high drug encapsulation were produced. Low cross-linking solution pH (1.5), minimum Glu concentration (2.5%) and cross-linking time (2 h) were crucial to exhibit colon-specific drug release. As Glu was added in the cross-linking solution, cross-linking between pectin chains and Glu occurred simultaneously during Ca-pectinate network formation, which appeared as a cost-effective formulation technique. Most importantly, the pharmacokinetic study demonstrated in vivo colon-specific drug release from the optimized formulation, while faster drug release was observed from the unmodified and suspension formulations. Hence, the developed formulation has potential to be used as colon-specific delivery system of resveratrol.

Characterization and release behaviors of porous PCL/Eudragit RS microcapsules containing tulobuterol

In this work, porous poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL)/Eudragit RS 100 (ERS-100) microcapsules containing tulobuterol base as a model drug were prepared by a solvent evaporation method and the effect of the quaternary ammonium groups of ERS-100 on the release behaviors of the microcapsules was investigated. The microcapsules prepared with PCL alone showed a stable and smooth surface, whereas porous microcapsules were formed with the addition of ERS-100. Drug loading and encapsulation efficiency of the microcapsules were slightly decreased with an increase of ERS-100 content, resulting from an increase in the porosity of the microcapsules. In an acidic release medium, PCL microcapsules showed slow drug release, whereas PCL/ERS-100 microcapsules showed a faster release rate with an increasing ERS-100 content. These behaviors are likely due to an increase in the diffusion rate of the drugs stemming from an increased hydration of the microcapsules, which results from the interaction between the carboxyl group of the release medium and the quaternary ammonium group of ERS-100.