In vitro / in vivo evaluation of procera gum-ethylcellulose microspheres for colonic delivery of budesonide

Abstract

The objective of the present research was to develop colonic delivery system for budesonide based on polymer blends of natural polysaccharides from Albizia procera and GI insoluble polymer ethylcellulose. Emulsion solvent evaporation method was followed for preparation of the microspheres. In vitro drug release was studied on a medium simulating gastrointestinal fluid and mechanism of drug release was determined by Korsemeyer-Peppas equation. In vivo performance of the microsphere was evaluated on acetic acid induced colitis in rats. Drug release studies showed microspheres from procera gum-ethylcellulose coating was able to resist premature drug release in the upper GI tract and susceptible to enzyme effects in the colon. Treatment of rats with budesonide test formulation for five days also significantly attenuated the extent and severity of the cell damage and is a promising system for treatment of ulcerative colitis.