Effect of co-administration of probiotics with guar gum, pectin and eudragit S100 based colon targeted mini tablets containing 5-Fluorouracil for site specific release

Novel Carbohydrate Polymer-Based Systems for Precise Drug Delivery in Colon Cancer: Improving Treatment Effectiveness With Intelligent Biodegradable Materials

Due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and controlled release, carbohydrates polymers are crucial to targeted drug delivery systems, notably for colon cancer treatment. This article examines how carbohydrate polymers like chitosan, pectin, guar gum, alginate, hyaluronic acid, dextran, and chondroitin sulfate are used in improved drug delivery. Modifying these polymers improves drug loading, stability, and release patterns, enhancing chemotherapeutic drugs' therapeutic index. Chitosan nanoparticles are pH-responsive, making them perfect for cancer treatment. Pectin's resistance to gastric enzymes and colonic bacteria makes it a promising colon-specific medication delivery agent. The combination of these polymers with nanotechnology, 3D printing, and AI allows the creation of stimuli-responsive systems that release drugs precisely in response to environmental signals like pH, redox potential, or colon enzymatic activity. The review highlights intelligent delivery system design advances that reduce systemic toxicity, improve treatment efficacy, and improve patient adherence. Carbohydrate polymers will revolutionize colon cancer treatment with personalized and accurate alternatives.

Quality by design-based development and in vitro evaluation of dual release tablet of etoricoxib and thiocolchicoside: A novel chronotherapeutic approach for arthritis pain management

OBJECTIVE

The traditional drug delivery system is not much effective when treating chronopathological diseases like arthritis. Consequently, there is a gap in the market for a delivery system that can provide an explicit treatment following the chronopharmacology of this disorder. The present study is based on the objective to develop Eudragit coated dual release bilayer tablet designed by the quality by design (QbD) and based on the chronotherapeutic approach. The dual release tablet contained an immediate release layer of etoricoxib and a sustained release layer of thiocolchicoside.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The quality target product profile (QTTP) of the formulation was established along with critical quality attributes (CQA). The optimization of the dual release layer was done using a three-level, three-factor Box-Behnken design. A total of thirteen formulations of etoricoxib (ET1-ET13) and thiocolchicoside (TH1-TH13) were developed based on the design composition of etoricoxib, sodium starch glycolate and sodium bicarbonate for the immediate release (IR) layer and thiocolchicoside, HPMC E5 LV and magnesium stearate for the sustained release (SR) layer respectively. The developed dual release layers were compressed to form a bilayer tablet. The bilayer tablets were further coated with pH-dependent polymer Eudragit S-100 to avoid drug release in upper GIT. The initial characterization and drug-excipient interaction studies were performed initially using infra-red (IR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies (XRD). Formulations showing good micrometric properties, disintegration and drug release were selected for final compression of bilayer tablets.

RESULT

Formulation ET13 showed the fastest drug release (88%) at 15minutes and quick disintegration time (21s). The sustained release thiocolchicoside tablet layer (TH1-TH13) had a hardness that varied from 4.01 to 4.45kg/cm2. Formulation TH12 had the highest hardness, whereas TH6 showed the lowest hardness. The sustained release layer showing 97.63% of drug release after 8hours was selected for the compression to bilayer tablet. The developed dual layer tablets were investigated for quality parameters like hardness, percentage friability, weight variation, disintegration and dissolution.

CONCLUSION

A high level of patient compliance is ensured through the current design as the patient does not need to get out of bed at night to take the medication.

Recent updates on guar gum derivatives in colon specific drug delivery

Colon specific delivery of therapeutics have gained much attention of pharmaceutical researchers in the recent past. Colonic specific targeting of drugs is used not only for facilitating absorption of protein or peptide drugs, but also localization of therapeutic agents in colon to treat several colonic disorders. Among various biopolymers, guar gum (GG) exhibits pH dependent swelling, which allows colon specific release of drug. GG also shows microbial degradation in the colonic environment which makes it a suitable excipient for developing colon specific drug delivery systems. The uncontrolled swelling and hydration of GG can be controlled by structural modification or by grafting with another polymeric moiety. Several graft copolymerized guar gum derivatives are investigated for colon targeting of drugs. The efficacy of various guar gum derivatives are evaluated for colon specific delivery of drugs. The reviewed literature evidenced the potentiality of guar gum in localizing drugs in the colonic environment. This review focuses on the synthesis of several guar gum derivatives and their application in developing various colon specific drug delivery systems including matrix tablets, coated formulations, nano or microparticulate delivery systems and hydrogels.

Dietary fiber as a wide pillar of colorectal cancer prevention and adjuvant therapy

Colorectal cancer is the third most incident and second most lethal type of cancer worldwide. Lifestyle and dietary patterns are the key factors for higher disease development risk. The dietary fiber intake from fruits and vegetables, mainly formed by food hydrocolloids, can help to lower the incidence of this type of neoplasia. Different food polysaccharides have applications in anti-tumoral therapy, such as coadjuvant to mainstream drugs, carriage-like properties, or direct influence on tumoral cells. Some classes include inulin, β-glucans, pectins, fucoidans, alginates, mucilages, and gums. Therefore, it is fundamental to discuss colorectal cancer mechanisms and the roles played by different polysaccharides in intestinal health. Genetic, environmental, and immunological modulation of mutated pathways regarding colorectal cancer has been explored before. Microbial diversity, byproduct formation (primarily short-chain fatty acids), inflammatory profile control, and tumoral mutated pathways regulation are thoroughly explored mechanisms by which dietary fiber sources influence a healthy gut ambiance.

Current State of Minitablet Product Design: A Review

Interest in minitablets (MTs) has grown exponentially over the last 20 years and especially the last decade, as evidenced by the number of publications cited in Scopus and PubMed. MTs offer significant opportunities for personalized medicine, dose titration and flexible dosing, taste masking, and customizing drug delivery systems. Advances in specialized MT tooling, manufacturing, and characterization instrumentation have overcome many of the earlier development issues. Breakthrough MT swallowability, acceptability, and palatability research have challenged the long-standing idea that only liquids are acceptable dosage forms for infants and young children. MTs have been shown to be a highly acceptable dosage form for infants, small children, and geriatric patients who have difficulty swallowing. This review discusses the current state of MT applications, acceptability in pediatric and geriatric populations, medication adherence, manufacturing processes such as tableting and coating, running powder and tablet characterization, packaging and MT dispensing, and regulatory considerations.

Carbohydrate polymer-based carriers for colon targeted delivery of probiotics

Probiotics (PRO) have been recognized for their significant role in promoting human health, particularly in relation to colon-related diseases. The effective delivery of PRO to the colon is a fascinating area of research. Among various delivery materials, carbohydrates have shown great potential as colon-targeted delivery (CTD) carriers for PRO. This review explores the connection between probiotics and colonic diseases, delving into their underlying mechanisms of action. Furthermore, it discusses current strategies for the targeted delivery of active substances to the colon. Unlike other reviews, this work specifically focuses on the utilization of carbohydrates, such as alginate, chitosan, pectin, and other carbohydrates, for probiotic colon-targeted delivery applications. Carbohydrates can undergo hydrolysis at the colonic site, allowing their oligosaccharides to function as prebiotics or as direct functional polysaccharides with beneficial effects. Furthermore, the development of multilayer self-assembled coatings using different carbohydrates enables the creation of enhanced delivery systems. Additionally, chemical modifications of carbohydrates, such as for adhesion and sensitivity, can be implemented to achieve more customized delivery of PRO.

Engineered Liposomes in Interventional Theranostics of Solid Tumors

Engineered liposomal nanoparticles have unique characteristics as cargo carriers in cancer care and therapeutics. Liposomal theranostics have shown significant progress in preclinical and clinical cancer models in the past few years. Liposomal hybrid systems have not only been approved by the FDA but have also reached the market level. Nanosized liposomes are clinically proven systems for delivering multiple therapeutic as well as imaging agents to the target sites in (i) cancer theranostics of solid tumors, (ii) image-guided therapeutics, and (iii) combination therapeutic applications. The choice of diagnostics and therapeutics can intervene in the theranostics property of the engineered system. However, integrating imaging and therapeutics probes within lipid self-assembly "liposome" may compromise their overall theranostics performance. On the other hand, liposomal systems suffer from their fragile nature, site-selective tumor targeting, specific biodistribution and premature leakage of loaded cargo molecules before reaching the target site. Various engineering approaches, viz., grafting, conjugation, encapsulations, etc., have been investigated to overcome the aforementioned issues. It has been studied that surface-engineered liposomes demonstrate better tumor selectivity and improved therapeutic activity and retention in cells/or solid tumors. It should be noted that several other parameters like reproducibility, stability, smooth circulation, toxicity of vital organs, patient compliance, etc. must be addressed before using liposomal theranostics agents in solid tumors or clinical models. Herein, we have reviewed the importance and challenges of liposomal medicines in targeted cancer theranostics with their preclinical and clinical progress and a translational overview.

Unveiling Plant-Based Pectins: Exploring the Interplay of Direct Effects, Fermentation, and Technological Applications in Clinical Research with a Focus on the Chemical Structure

Pectin, a plant-derived polysaccharide, possesses immense technological and biological application value. Several variables influence pectin's physicochemical aspects, resulting in different fermentations, interactions with receptors, and other functional properties. Some of those variables are molecular weight, degree of methylation and blockiness, and monosaccharide composition. Cancer cell cytotoxicity, important fermentation-related byproducts, immunomodulation, and technological application were found in cell culture, animal models, and preclinical and clinical assessments. One of the greater extents of recent pectin technological usage involves nanoencapsulation methods for many different compounds, ranging from chemotherapy and immunotherapy to natural extracts from fruits and other sources. Structural modification (modified pectin) is also utilized to enhance the use of dietary fiber. Although pectin is already recognized as a component of significant importance, there is still a need for a comprehensive review that delves into its intricate relationships with biological effects, which depend on the source and structure of pectin. This review covers all levels of clinical research, including cell culture, animal studies, and clinical trials, to understand how the plant source and pectin structures influence the biological effects in humans and some technological applications of pectin regarding human health.

Multivariate Data Analysis and Central Composite Design-Oriented Optimization of Solid Carriers for Formulation of Curcumin-Loaded Solid SNEDDS: Dissolution and Bioavailability Assessment

The study was initiated with two major purposes: investigating the role of isomalt (GIQ9) as a pharmaceutical carrier for solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (S-SNEDDSs) and improving the oral bioavailability of lipophilic curcumin (CUN). GIQ9 has never been explored for solidification of liquid lipid-based nanoparticles such as a liquid isotropic mixture of a SNEDDS containing oil, surfactant and co-surfactant. The suitability of GIQ9 as a carrier was assessed by calculating the loading factor, flow and micromeritic properties. The S-SNEDDSs were prepared by surface adsorption technique. The formulation variables were optimized using central composite design (CCD). The optimized S-SNEDDS was evaluated for differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), microscopy, dissolution and pharmacokinetic studies. The S-SNEDDS showed a particle size, zeta potential and PDI of 97 nm, -26.8 mV and 0.354, respectively. The results of DSC, XRD, FTIR and microscopic studies revealed that the isotropic mixture was adsorbed onto the solid carrier. The L-SNEDDS and S-SNEDDS showed no significant difference in drug release, indicating no change upon solidification. The optimized S-SNEDDS showed 5.1-fold and 61.7-fold enhancement in dissolution rate and oral bioavailability as compared to the naïve curcumin. The overall outcomes of the study indicated the suitability of GIQ9 as a solid carrier for SNEDDSs.

A pH/Time/Pectinase-Dependent Oral Colon-Targeted System Containing Isoliquiritigenin: Pharmacokinetics and Colon Targeting Evaluation in Mice

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Oral colon-targeted gel beads containing isoliquiritigenin (ISL) were successfully designed in our study. In order to further explore the targeting of the colon by the gel beads, a systematic study of their in vivo pharmacokinetics and colon targeting was performed in mice.

METHODS

Eighteen male mice were included in this study. The mice were separated into six groups at random. We collected blood, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon tissues at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 h after oral administration of gel beads containing isoliquiritigenin at a dose of 20 mg/kg. Gel beads in tissues were recorded and taken out to observe their swelling and erosion. The total ISL concentrations in different tissues and gel beads were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

All gel beads reached the upper part of the stomach at 2 h with no obvious swelling. Most of the gel beads were still in the lower part of stomach, while a small amount had reached the small intestine at 4 h. A few gel beads reached the colon and swelled at 6 h. Furthermore, the gel beads in the colon were swollen and erosive at 8 h. Meanwhile, the plasma ISL concentration could be detected, which indicated that the ISL in the gel beads was absorbed. At 12 h, the gel beads were almost dissolved and the plasma concentration was 8.33 times that at 8 h. At 24 h, the gel beads had completely disappeared, and the plasma concentration was 2.55 times that at 12 h.

CONCLUSION

The gel beads containing ISL are a sustained, controlled, and colon-targeting delivery system that can alter the ISL distribution in the gastrointestinal tract.

Self-nanoemulsifying composition containing curcumin, quercetin, Ganoderma lucidum extract powder and probiotics for effective treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in streptozotocin induced rats

Liquid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (L-SNEDDS) of curcumin and quercetin were prepared by dissolving them in isotropic mixture of Labrafil M1944CS®, Capmul MCM®, Tween-80® and Transcutol P®. The prepared L-SNEDDS were solidified using Ganoderma lucidum extract, probiotics and Aerosil-200® using spray drying. These were further converted into pellets using extrusion-spheronization. The mean droplet size and zeta potential of L-SNEDDS were found to be 63.46 ± 2.12 nm and - 14.8 ± 3.11 mV while for solid SNEDDS pellets, these were 72.46 ± 2.16 nm and -38.7 ± 1.34 mV, respectively. The dissolution rate for curcumin and quercetin each was enhanced by 4.5 folds while permeability was enhanced by 5.28 folds (curcumin) and 3.35 folds (quercetin) when loaded into SNEDDS pellets. The Cmax for curcumin and quercetin containing SNEDDS pellets was found 532.34 ± 5.64 ng/mL and 4280 ± 65.67 ng/mL, respectively. This was 17.55 and 3.48 folds higher as compared to their naïve forms. About 50.23- and 5.57-folds increase in bioavailability was observed for curcumin and quercetin respectively, upon loading into SNEDDS pellets. SNEDDS pellets were found stable at accelerated storage conditions. The developed formulation was able to normalize the levels of blood glucose, lipids, antioxidant biomarkers, and tissue architecture of pancreas and liver in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats as compared to their naïve forms.

Latest developments in food-grade delivery systems for probiotics: A systematic review

Tremendous progress in the inseparable relationships between probiotics and human health has enabled advances in probiotic functional foods. To ensure the vitality of sensitive probiotics against multiple harsh conditions, rising food-grade delivery systems for probiotics have been developed. This review gives a summary of recently reported delivery vehicles for probiotics, analyzes their respective merits and drawbacks and makes comparisons among them. Subsequently, the applications and future prospects are discussed. According to the types of encapsulating probiotics, food-grade delivery systems for probiotics can be classified into "silkworm cocoons" and "spider webs", which are put forward in this paper. The former, which surrounds the inner probiotics with the outer protective layers, includes particles, emulsions, beads, hybrid electrospun nanofibers and microcapsules. While hydrogels and bigels belong to the latter, which protects probiotics with the aid of network structures. The future prospects include preferable viability and stability of probiotics, co-delivery systems, targeted gut release of probiotics, delivery of multiple strains, more scientific experimental verification and more diversified food products, which will enlighten further studies on delivering probiotics for human health. Taken together, delivery vehicles for probiotics are-or will soon be-in the field of food science, with further applications under development.

Pectin based multi-particulate carriers for colon-specific delivery of therapeutic agents

In case of colon-specific delivery of therapeutic agents through oral route, microbial/enzyme-triggered release approach has several advantages over other approaches due to unique microbial ecosystem in the colon. Multiple-unit carriers have an edge over single-unit carriers for this purpose. Among different materials/polymers explored, pectin appears as a promising biopolymer to construct microbial-triggered colon-specific carriers. Pectin is specifically degraded by colonic enzymes but insusceptible to upper gastro-intestinal enzymes. In this article, utilization of pectin solely or in combination with other polymers and/or colonic-delivery approaches is critically discussed in detail in the context of multi-particulate systems. Several studies showed that pectin-based carriers can prevent the release of payload in the stomach but start to release in the intestine. Hence, pectin alone may construct delayed release formulation but may not be sufficient for effective colon-targeting. On the other hand, combination of pectin with other materials/polymers (e.g., chitosan and Eudragit® S-100) has demonstrated huge promise for colon-specific release of payload. Hence, smartly designed pectin-based multi-particulate carriers, especially in combination with other polymers and/or colon-targeting approaches (e.g., microbial-triggered + pH-triggered or microbial-triggered + pH-triggered + time-release or microbial-triggered + pH-triggered + pressure-based), can be successful colon-specific delivery systems. However, more clinical trials are necessary to bring this idea from bench to bedside.