Drug Formulation and Controlled Release Systems for the Gastrointestinal Tract

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Delivery and Controlled Release".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 1019

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Pharmacy, Department Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Medical University—Sofia, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: inorganic, polymer and hybrid nanosystems; controlled release of active substances; biopharmaceutical control

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Guest Editor
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Sofia, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: polymer nanoparticles; drug delivery; dermal and transdermal drug delivery

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Pharmacy, Department Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Medical University—Sofia, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: multiparticulate drug delivery systems; modified release dosage forms; chronopharmaceutical systems

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to provide an update on the current and recent progress in different drug formulation and controlled release systems (modified release tablets, nanoparticles, microneedle injectors or other devices) that can unlock options for drug and protein delivery to the gastrointestinal tract. They may possess suitable bioadhesion, pH-sensitive or microenvironment-triggered release properties, and active targeting. The possibility for oral or parenteral application would further improve the opportunities for therapy and diagnosis of diseases affecting the stomach, intestines, colon,  liver or biliary tract. Such systems must offer advantages over traditional methods of drug delivery, including the tailoring of drug release rates, stability protection of drugs, and increased patient comfort and compliance.

We welcome researchers to contribute original research articles and reviews, with topics addressing, but not limited to, the key findings on and contributions to drug and protein delivery to the gastrointestinal tract and related structures via different delivery routes or strategies.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Borislav S. Tzankov
Dr. Christina Voycheva
Dr. Teodora Popova
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • gastrointestinal diseases
  • gastrointestinal tract
  • gastrointestinal cancer
  • colorectal cancer
  • rectal cancer
  • nanomedicine
  • drug formulation
  • drug delivery systems
  • nanocarriers
  • targeted drug delivery
  • nanotechnology
  • pharmaceutical science
  • nano-bioengineering

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

17 pages, 3480 KiB  
Article
Self-Microemulsifying Drug Delivery System to Enhance Oral Bioavailability of Berberine Hydrochloride in Rats
by Xiaolan Chen, Haifeng Yang, Longyu Shi, Yujuan Mao, Lin Niu, Jing Wang, Haifeng Chen, Jiping Jia, Jingxuan Wang, Jiajie Xue, Yan Shen, Chunli Zheng, Yu Tian and Yi Zheng
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(9), 1116; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16091116 - 24 Aug 2024
Viewed by 691
Abstract
Berberine hydrochloride (BH) is a versatile bioactive compound derived from the plants of the Berberis genus, known for its various pharmacological effects. However, its oral bioavailability is low due to its high hydrophilicity and limited permeability. To enhance its clinical efficacy and oral [...] Read more.
Berberine hydrochloride (BH) is a versatile bioactive compound derived from the plants of the Berberis genus, known for its various pharmacological effects. However, its oral bioavailability is low due to its high hydrophilicity and limited permeability. To enhance its clinical efficacy and oral bioavailability, this study designed and prepared a BH-loaded self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (BH-SMEDDS), and characterized its in vitro and in vivo properties. Firstly, the optimal formulation of BH-SMEDDS was selected using solubility evaluations, pseudo-ternary phase diagrams, and particle size analysis. The formulation containing 55% Capmul MCM, 22.5% Kolliphor RH 40, and 22.5% 1,2-propanediol was developed. BH-SMEDDS exhibited stable physicochemical properties, with an average particle size of 47.2 ± 0.10 nm and a self-emulsification time of 26.02 ± 0.24 s. Moreover, in vitro dissolution studies showed significant improvements in BH release in simulated intestinal fluid, achieving 93.1 ± 2.3% release within 300 min. Meanwhile, BH-SMEDDS did not exhibit cytotoxic effects on the Caco-2 cells. Additionally, BH-SMEDDS achieved a 1.63-fold increase in oral bioavailability compared to commercial BH tablets. Therefore, SMEDDS presents a promising strategy for delivering BH with enhanced oral bioavailability, demonstrating significant potential for clinical application. Full article
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