Probiotic-Assisted Colon-Specific Delivery of Anti-Inflammatory Drug – 5 ASA

Background: Mesalamine, one derivative of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), has been recommended as the first-line medicine to induce and maintain remission in patients with mild-to-moderately active ulcerative colitis on account of its efficacy and safety. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of mesalamine in conjunction with probiotics for ulcerative colitis an ideal colon targeting system aims to deliver a therapeutic agent, selectively and effectively, to the colon. This system should ideally retain the drug release in the upper GI tract (stomach and small intestine); while trigger the drug release in the colon. Several approaches have been used to fabricate formulations to achieve a colon specific delivery of mesalamine such as; time dependent, enzymatic/microbial responsive approaches. This overview outlines the recent advances in mesalamine-colon delivery approaches for the potential treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn' disease. Method: The matrix tablets of guar gum were prepared by wet granulation method Lactose, guar gum, talc and magnesium stearate were sifted separately through sieve number 60 to obtain particles of uniform size. Weighed quantity of Mesalamine was sifted through sieve number 100. Result: Matrix tablets containing Mesalamine were prepared by wet granulation method using guar gum as the colon targeting polymer and varying concentrations of probiotics Sporlac and Vivaflora to assist in colon targeting.