Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 29, 2026
06:19
Chinese Herbal Retention Enema for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
Published on: May 16, 2025
1.5K
Porous Polymeric Microparticles as an Oral Drug Platform for Effective Ulcerative Colitis Treatment
Xin Zhou1, Qiubing Chen1, Ya Ma1
1Education Ministry Key Laboratory on Luminescence and Real-Time Analysis, Institute for Clean Energy and Advanced Materials, School of Materials and Energy, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing 400715, P.R. China.
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
|February 20, 2019
Summary
Porous microparticles enhance curcumin drug delivery, showing superior therapeutic effects for ulcerative colitis treatment in mice compared to nonporous versions. This highlights porous microparticles as a promising oral drug delivery platform.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Microparticles (MPs) are explored for drug delivery.
- Porous MPs offer potential advantages over nonporous MPs.
- Curcumin is a therapeutic agent with potential for ulcerative colitis treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of porous and nonporous microparticles for curcumin encapsulation and delivery.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of these microparticles in a ulcerative colitis mouse model.
Main Methods:
- Porous and nonporous MPs were fabricated using emulsion-solvent evaporation.
- Curcumin was encapsulated into MPs during preparation.
- MP characteristics (size, zeta potential) were analyzed.
- Curcumin release kinetics were studied.
- Ulcerative colitis was induced in mice using dextran sulfate sodium.
Main Results:
- MPs with and without pores were successfully prepared with ~1.2 μm diameters and negative zeta potentials (~-28 mV).
- Porous MPs demonstrated a significantly increased curcumin release rate.
- Orally administered porous MPs yielded statistically significant improvements in treating ulcerative colitis in mice compared to nonporous MPs.
Conclusions:
- Porous microparticles significantly enhance curcumin release and therapeutic efficacy for ulcerative colitis.
- Porous MPs represent a promising platform for oral drug delivery in ulcerative colitis treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD
499
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the colon and rectum. The primary drugs used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis are aminosalicylates. They exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. They modulate inflammatory mediators and inhibit the activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Aminosalicylates also reduce inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin and leukotriene production and decreasing neutrophil chemotaxis and superoxide...
499
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
962
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
962
01:15Non-Oral Extravascular Drug Absorption Routes
516
Non-oral extravascular routes, which encompass sublingual, buccal, topical, intramuscular, and inhalation methods, primarily utilize passive diffusion to transport drugs into the systemic circulation. The absorption rates and effectiveness of these routes depend on the drug's physicochemical properties, as well as the patient's anatomical and pathophysiological state.
Lipophilic drugs that are stable at salivary pH (6) and exhibit minimal binding to the oral mucosa are absorbed more...
Lipophilic drugs that are stable at salivary pH (6) and exhibit minimal binding to the oral mucosa are absorbed more...
516
01:31Acid Suppressive Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Antacids
692
In the complex environment of the gastric lumen, excessive acid secretion can lead to the formation or worsening of ulcers within the delicate mucosal layer. Antacids, such as sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate, provide relief by neutralizing this acid, transforming it into harmless salt and water. This neutralization process raises the gastric pH from a highly acidic level of 1 to a more basic 3-4, reducing the acidity within the stomach.
However, this neutralization reaction between...
However, this neutralization reaction between...
692
01:30Combined Effects of Drugs: Antagonism
11.7K
The combined effects of drugs can result in various interactions, of which an important type is antagonism. Antagonism is a mechanism where one drug inhibits or counteracts the effects of another drug. Antagonism can occur through various means, including receptor binding, allosteric modulation, functional interaction, chemical reactions, and pharmacokinetic processes.
The most common type is receptor antagonism, where one drug acts as an antagonist to block the effects of another drug by...
The most common type is receptor antagonism, where one drug acts as an antagonist to block the effects of another drug by...
11.7K
01:21Antipsychotic Drugs: Therapeutic Uses and Side Effects
817
Antipsychotic drugs primarily block dopamine and serotonin receptors and cholinergic, adrenergic, and histaminergic receptors, thereby reducing hallucinations and delusions in conditions like schizophrenia. However, they can trigger unwanted extrapyramidal effects such as dystonias, Parkinson-like symptoms, and tardive dyskinesia.
Despite these side effects, antipsychotics are used therapeutically for various purposes, including managing schizophrenia, preventing nausea and vomiting, curbing...
Despite these side effects, antipsychotics are used therapeutically for various purposes, including managing schizophrenia, preventing nausea and vomiting, curbing...
817