Title:Polymeric Systems for Colon-specific Mesalazine Delivery in the
Intestinal Bowel Diseases Management
Volume: 30
Issue: 12
Author(s): Alberto Gomes Tavares Junior, Jennifer Thayanne Cavalcante de Araújo, Jonatas Lobato Duarte, Amanda Letícia Polli Silvestre, Leonardo Delello Di Filippo and Marlus Chorilli*
Affiliation:
- Department of Drugs and Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP),
Araraquara, Brazil
Keywords:
5-ASA, polymeric systems, colonic delivery, nanoparticles systems, microparticles systems, modified- release dosage forms.
Abstract: The anti-inflammatory 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is the main therapeutic
option used to prevent and treat inflammatory bowel diseases. The upper intestinal tract
performs rapid and almost complete absorption of this drug when administered orally,
making local therapeutic levels of the molecule in the inflamed colonic mucosa difficult
to achieve. Micro and nanoparticle systems are promising for 5-ASA incorporation because
the reduced dimensions of these structures can improve the drug's pharmacodynamics
and contribute to more efficient and localized therapy. Together, the association of these
systems with polymers will allow the release of 5-ASA through specific targeting
mechanisms to the colon, as demonstrated in the mesalazine modified-release dosage
form. This review will summarize and discuss the challenges for the oral administration
of 5-ASA and the different colon-specific delivery strategies using polymers.