3D printed multi-drug-loaded suppositories for acute severe ulcerative colitis

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Technology
• Gastroenterology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) presents a significant health challenge, often necessitating combination therapies.
• Local drug delivery via suppositories offers a promising strategy for treating rectal and colon inflammation in ASUC.
• Personalized dosage forms can enhance therapeutic efficacy by tailoring treatments to individual patient needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the feasibility of producing 3D printed suppositories containing two anti-inflammatory drugs for ASUC.
• To explore the use of semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D printing for creating multi-drug rectal dosage forms.
• To assess the performance of 3D printed suppositories with varying drug concentrations.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of suppositories using semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D printing.
• Incorporation of budesonide and tofacitinib citrate at different dosages (budesonide: 4 or 2 mg; tofacitinib citrate: 10 or 5 mg).
• Evaluation of dissolution and disintegration properties of the 3D printed suppositories.

Main Results:

• Successful production of 3D printed suppositories containing both budesonide and tofacitinib citrate.
• Suppositories exhibited consistent dissolution and disintegration profiles regardless of drug content.
• Demonstrated the potential for self-emulsification to enhance the performance of poorly water-soluble drugs.

Conclusions:

• Semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D printing is a viable technology for creating personalized, multi-drug suppositories for ASUC.
• The developed 3D printed suppositories offer flexibility in drug dosing, allowing for titration based on disease progression.
• This approach holds potential for improving therapeutic outcomes in ASUC through targeted local drug delivery.