Enhancing the intestinal absorption of poorly water-soluble weak-acidic compound by controlling local pH

Recently, the number of poorly water-soluble drug candidates has increased and has hindered the rapid improvement of new drugs with low intestinal absorption; however, the intestinal absorption of pH-dependent poorly water-soluble compounds is expected to be markedly improved by changing the pH in the vicinity of the absorption site. The aim of this study is to clarify the effect of local pH change in the intestinal tract by magnesium oxide on the intestinal absorption of hydrochlorothiazide, a model poorly water-soluble weak-acid compound. The application of hydrochlorothiazide granule containing magnesium oxide to the rat intestinal loop increased the pH in the vicinity of the dosing site to more than 8.5 for 90 min without any mucosal damage. As a result, absorption of hydrochlorothiazide increased by the addition of magnesium oxide to the granule. Intraintestinal administration of a suspension prepared from hydrochlorothiazide granules with magnesium oxide increased the intestinal absorption and the AUC value was 3-fold higher than that without magnesium oxide. To further increase the intestinal absorption of hydrochlorothiazide, we prepared granules containing magnesium oxide and chitosan as a mucoadhesive and tight junction opening material. Chitosan showed a marked increase of intestinal absorption, and the AUC value after the administration of suspensions of chitosan granules was more than 5-fold higher than that of granules containing hydrochlorothiazide alone, respectively. In summary, it has been clarified that the intestinal absorption of weak-acidic poorly water-soluble compound can be enhanced by increasing local pH, mucoadhesion and opening tight junction.