Development of Colon-Targeted Naringin-Loaded Microbeads in Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis Model in Rats for the Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
摘要
The study aimed to develop naringin (NAR)-loaded microbeads coated with Eudragit-S100 polymer for colon-targeted drug delivery, focusing on effectively treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
MethodsNAR-loaded microbeads were formulated by ionic gelation technique. The formulation variables (concentration of chitosan, sodium alginate and sodium tripolyphosphate) were optimized by using Box-Behnken's Design (BBB). Morphological and characterization of the microbeads were performed. Additionally, the therapeutic potential of the microbeads was evaluated in the acetic-acid-induced colitis model by assessing colitis severity, inflammatory markers and histological examination of colonic tissue.
ResultsThe optimized formulation exhibited a particle size (PS) (258.42 ± 2.98 µm), drug entrapment efficacy (DEE) (87.04 ± 1.67%), % yield (88.45 ± 2.87%), swelling index (SI) (1.21 ± 0.08) in pH 7.4, and zeta potential (-26.24 ± 0.21 mV). Maximum drug release (93.07 ± 3.67%) was achieved in simulated colonic fluid at pH 7.4 over 24 h, following a non-Fickian mechanism involving diffusion, matrix erosion, and bacterial degradation. The results demonstrated that optimized formulation significantly alleviated colitis symptoms by reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines in colon tissue.
ConclusionNAR-loaded microbeads, optimized by Box–Behnken design, showed strong therapeutic potential in an acetic acid (AA)-induced colitis model. They reduced tissue necrosis factor-α and myeloperoxidase while improving antioxidant levels such as catalase and superoxide dismutase, offering a promising targeted therapy for IBD.