DESIGN AND CHARACTERIZATION OF COLONIC SPECIFIC DELIVERY OF SULFASALAZINE LOADED NANOPARTICLES

Rahul Krishnan P.R.*, Sivakumar R., Reshma Fathima K. and Haribabu Y.

ABSTRACT

Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) are the two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The firstline treatment for the IBD is aminosalicylates for decades. But the main disadvantage is the poor targeting properties and increased side effects. Sulfasalazine is a drug with poor water solubility, oral bioavailability, and high first pass metabolism. The present study aims in developing a nano formulation by nanoprecipitation method to improve the targeting to colon, to reduce the dose and improve the dissolution rate. Six formulations (F1-F6) with different polymer ratios and stabilizer concentrations were prepared and best formulation was found out (F6). In vitro release study showed 91.89% release in 120 minutes.

Keywords: Sulfasalazine, Nanoparticles, Nanoprecipitation, Colon targeting.