title: Preparation and in vitro evaluation of chitosan microspheres containing prednisolone: comparison of simple and conjugate microspheres.
abstract: The purpose of the present study was to obtain a novel microparticulate formulation of prednisolone, which was adequate for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The formulations prepared were evaluated in vitro. Two types of chitosan microspheres containing prednisolone, named Ch-Pred and Ch-SP-MS, were prepared by an emulsification-solvent evaporation method using a chitosan-prednisolone mixture and a chitosan-succinyl-prednisolone conjugate (Ch-SP), respectively. Ch-Pred and Ch-SP-MS were obtained in almost spherical shape. Ch-Pred showed a relatively high drug content of 13.2% (w/w), but the particle size was distributed from 10 to 45 microm, and a large initial burst release of approximately 60% was observed. On the other hand, although Ch-SP-MS exhibited a fairly low drug content of 3.5% (w/w), their particle size ranged from several hundred nanometers to 20 microm, with the mean diameter of 5 microm, and a gradual drug release profile was achieved. These characteristics on particle size and in vitro release suggested that Ch-SP-MS should have good potential as a microparticulate system for the treatment of IBD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Delivery Research, Hoshi University, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan. onishi@hoshi.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hiraku
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Onishi
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oosegi
authors.forename: Yoshiharu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Machida
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: McGinity
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004339:Drug Compounding; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008863:Microspheres; D010316:Particle Size; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D048271:Chitosan; D011239:Prednisolone