Development of Polymeric-Based Formulation as Potential Smart Colonic Drug Delivery System

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Polymer Chemistry
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Conventional oral drugs are absorbed in the small intestine, limiting efficacy for colon-specific diseases.
• Developing targeted colonic drug delivery systems enhances therapeutic outcomes and patient compliance.
• Existing delivery systems require 5-6 hours to reach the colon, necessitating delayed release mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer a smart, pH-sensitive polymeric formulation for targeted colonic drug delivery.
• To synthesize novel polymers using free-radical bulk polymerization with varying monomer and crosslinker ratios.
• To incorporate 5-amino salicylic acid and Capmul MCM C8 for enhanced therapeutic effect and bioavailability.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized pH-sensitive polymers via free-radical bulk polymerization.
• Characterized polymer films by measuring glass transition temperature (Tg), tensile strength, Young's modulus, and elongation at break.
• Evaluated in vitro swelling and drug release profiles under simulated gastrointestinal conditions.

Main Results:

• The developed polymeric formulations demonstrated pH-sensitive behavior.
• In vitro studies confirmed delayed drug release in simulated stomach and small intestine environments.
• Drug release was triggered effectively under conditions mimicking the colon.

Conclusions:

• The novel pH-sensitive polymeric system shows significant potential for smart colonic drug delivery.
• This system can improve therapeutic efficacy for colon-specific diseases by enabling targeted drug release.
• The formulation offers a promising alternative to conventional treatments, potentially reducing side effects and improving patient acceptance.