title: Pectin-based oral drug delivery to the colon.
abstract: This review presents an overview of studies concerning oral formulations intended for site-specific drug delivery to the colon with pectin as the main excipient. The biological aspects covered include gastrointestinal transit and the enzymatic degradation of pectin. Scintigraphic methods demonstrating the functionality of pectin formulations are discussed. The main focus is on the various formulations reported, including matrix tablets, multiparticulate formulations as pellets and hydrogel beads, and pectin-based coatings. Also included is an evaluation of common excipients employed to improve colon specificity by crosslinking or increasing the hydrophobicity. Finally, properties of the pectin molecules that are important for successful formulations are examined. The conclusion is that the studies found in the literature provide an excellent platform for the development of pectin-based colon delivery systems.
authors.affiliation: University of Oslo School of Pharmacy, PO Box 1068, Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway. s.a.sande@farmasi.uio.no
authors.forename: Sverre Arne
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sande
mesh_terms: D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D004339:Drug Compounding; D005079:Excipients; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D010368:Pectins / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005079:Excipients; D010368:Pectins