Modification of rectal absorption of morphine from hollow-type suppositories with a combination of alpha-cyclodextrin and viscosity-enhancing polysaccharide

An attempt was made to optimize the rectal delivery of morphine, using cyclodextrins as an absorption enhancer and polysaccharides as a swelling hydrogel in Witepsol H-15 hollow-type suppositories, and this was tested in rabbits. alpha- and beta-cyclodextrins enhanced the rate and extent of bioavailability, the former being more effective; gamma-cyclodextrin decreased the absorption of morphine. The in-vitro membrane permeation studies using excised rectal sacs revealed that alpha-cyclodextrin enhanced the permeation of morphine through the rectal membranes. In contrast, viscous polysaccharides such as xanthan gum retarded the plasma morphine levels after the rectal administration, reflecting in-vitro slow release characteristics. A combination of alpha-cyclodextrin and xanthan gum produced sustained plasma profiles of morphine along with an increased rectal bioavailability (more than 4 times). From the observation of the distribution behavior of suppositories in rabbit rectum and colon after the rectal administration, xanthan gum was found to prevent the upward spread of the drug. Gross and microscopic observations suggested that this preparation was less irritating to the rectal mucosa.