New oral delivery systems for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is often localized to specific sites in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). As a result, this disease can be treated with oral site-specific (targeted) drug delivery systems. Targeted delivery systems for treatment of IBD are designed to increase local tissue concentrations of anti inflammatory drugs from lower doses compared with systemic administration. This review addresses the impact disease has or may have on oral targeted delivery for treatment of IBD as well as a number of delivery approaches currently used in marketed products or under investigation. Delivery systems reviewed rely on temporal control, changes in pH along the GIT, the action of local enzymes to trigger drug release, and changes in intraluminal pressure. Dissolution of enteric polymer coatings due to a change in local pH and reduction of azo-bonds to release an active agent are both used in commercially marketed products. Newer approaches showing promise in treating IBD are based on polysaccharides. These materials are most effective when used as compression coatings around core tablets, which contain the active agent. More complex polymeric prodrugs systems are also under investigation. If the dose of the drug is sufficiently low, this approach may also prove useful in improving treatment of IBD. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.