Oral colon-targeting core-shell microparticles loading curcumin for enhanced ulcerative colitis alleviating efficacy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The oral colon-targeting drug delivery vehicle is vital for the efficient application of curcumin (Cur) in ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment because of its lipophilicity and instability in the gastrointestinal tract.

METHODS:

The core-shell microparticle (MP) system composed of eco-friendly materials, zein and shellac, was fabricated using a coaxial electrospray technique. In this manner, Cur was loaded in the zein core, with shellac shell coating on it. The colon-targeting efficiency and accumulation capacity of shellac@Cur/zein MPs were evaluated using a fluorescence imaging test. The treatment effects of free Cur, Cur/zein MPs, and shellac@Cur/zein MPs in acute experimental colitis were compared.

RESULTS:

With the process parameters optimized, shellac@Cur/zein MPs were facilely fabricated with a stable cone-jet mode, exhibiting standard spherical shape, uniform size distribution (2.84 ± 0.15 µm), and high encapsulation efficiency (95.97% ± 3.51%). Particularly, with the protection of shellac@zein MPs, Cur exhibited sustained drug release in the simulated gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, the in vivo fluorescence imaging test indicated that the cargo loaded in shellac@zein MPs improves the colon-targeting efficiency and accumulation capacity at the colonitis site. More importantly, compared with either free Cur or Cur/zein MPs, the continuous oral administration of shellac@Cur/zein MPs for a week could efficiently inhibit inflammation in acute experimental colitis.

CONCLUSION:

The shellac@Cur/zein MPs would act as an effective oral drug delivery system for UC management.

• Authors: Chen Zhang, Zhejie Chen, Yanan He, Jing Xian, Ruifeng Luo, Chuan Zheng, Jinming Zhang
• Journal: Chinese medicine (Chin Med) Vol. 16 Issue 1 Pg. 92 (Sep 22 2021) ISSN: 1749-8546 [Print] England
• PMID: 34551815 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2021. The Author(s).