Polysaccharides for colon targeted drug delivery

Area of Science:

• Drug Delivery and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Biomaterials Science
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Colon targeted drug delivery aims to treat colonic diseases and enable systemic absorption of proteins/peptides.
• Current strategies include prodrugs, pH-sensitive polymers, biodegradable polymers, and various controlled-release systems.
• Polymers biodegradable by colonic bacteria offer a promising approach for targeted drug release.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and highlight the potential of colon-specific drug delivery systems.
• To explore the role of bacterial enzymes (polysaccharidases) in colon targeting.
• To discuss the advantages of using natural polysaccharides in drug delivery.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing colon-targeted drug delivery strategies.
• Investigation of polysaccharides biodegradable by colonic bacteria.
• Analysis of properties of natural polymers for drug delivery applications.

Main Results:

• Polysaccharides like pectin, guar gum, amylose, inulin, dextran, chitosan, and chondroitin sulfate are suitable for colon-specific drug release.
• These natural polymers offer desirable characteristics: derivatizable groups, variable molecular weights, diverse compositions, low toxicity, biodegradability, and high stability.
• Their approval as pharmaceutical excipients is a significant advantage.

Conclusions:

• Colon targeted drug delivery using biodegradable polymers and exploiting colonic bacteria holds significant therapeutic potential.
• Natural polysaccharides represent a versatile and advantageous class of materials for developing effective colon-specific drug delivery systems.
• Further research into these materials can optimize drug delivery for various colonic diseases and systemic applications.