title: Microbially triggered drug delivery to the colon.
abstract: Increasing acceptance of protein- and peptide-based drugs necessitates an investigation into the suitability of various sites for their administration. Colon is being investigated for delivery of such molecules. Colon-specific drug delivery is designed to target drug molecules specifically to this area. Development of site-specific delivery systems may exploit a specific property of the target site for drug activation/release. The gastrointestinal tract is inhabited by over 400 bacterial species, each having a specific niche in the tract. Colon, the distal part of the intestine is inhabited by a large variety of gram negative microflora. This flora produces a vast number of enzymes which are being exploited for formulation of colon-specific drug delivery systems. A number of microbially activated systems for colon-specific drug delivery are being evaluated. These include prodrugs and synthetic or natural polymer-based delivery systems. This article aims at reviewing the various microbially activated drug delivery systems for colon-specific drug delivery with specific reference to the microflora of the various segments of the gastrointestinal tract and their role in targeting drug delivery to the colon.
authors.affiliation: University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160 014, India. vr_sinha@yahoo.com
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: Rachna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumria
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D003106:Colon / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D017753:Ecosystem; D006801:Humans; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011108:Polymers; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D011108:Polymers; D011355:Prodrugs; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated