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Published on: December 13, 2024
Poly(fumaric-co-sebacic) microspheres as oral drug delivery systems
D Chickering1, J Jacob, E Mathiowitz
1Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Biotechnology, Brown University, Box G-B393, Providence, Rhode Island 02912.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering
|October 5, 1996
Summary
Bioerodible polyanhydrides show promise for oral drug delivery. These novel bioadhesive systems enhance drug bioavailability, with potential for extended gastrointestinal residence times.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Pharmaceutics
Background:
- Development of effective oral drug delivery systems is crucial for improving patient compliance and therapeutic outcomes.
- Bioadhesive materials offer prolonged drug release and localized action within the gastrointestinal tract.
- Bioerodible polyanhydrides present a potential class of polymers for advanced drug delivery applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize bioadhesive oral delivery systems using bioerodible polyanhydrides.
- To evaluate the bioadhesion properties and in vivo performance of these polymeric systems.
- To assess the impact of polyanhydride encapsulation on drug bioavailability.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a novel electrobalance tensiometer to quantify polymer bioadhesion under simulated physiological conditions (37°C, saline).
- Investigated in vivo performance by measuring gastrointestinal residence time of barium-loaded microspheres.
- Encapsulated the anticoagulant drug dicumarol within the polyanhydride systems to assess bioavailability.
Main Results:
- Poly(fumaric-co-sebacic) [P(FA:SA)] exhibited the highest bioadhesion among tested thermoplastic polymers.
- Microspheres demonstrated extended gastrointestinal residence times of 24-36 hours, indicating suitability for bioadhesive drug delivery.
- Dicumarol bioavailability was significantly increased when delivered via the encapsulated polyanhydride formulation compared to the unencapsulated drug.
Conclusions:
- Bioerodible polyanhydrides, particularly P(FA:SA), are effective bioadhesive materials for oral drug delivery.
- The developed systems show potential for prolonged drug release and enhanced systemic bioavailability.
- These findings support the use of polyanhydride-based microspheres as promising candidates for advanced oral drug delivery applications.
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