Azo compounds in colon-specific drug delivery.
Azo compounds have the potential to act as drug carriers that facilitate the selective release of therapeutic agents to the colon, and also to effect the oral administration of those macromolecular drugs that require colon-specific drug delivery. With some further research-driven refinements, these materials may lead to more efficient treatments for local conditions, such as colonic cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. This article provides an overview of the azo-based systems developed to date, identifies the requirements for an ideal carrier, and highlights the directions for further developments in the field of azo group-facilitated colonic delivery.
Roldo
Marta
M
University of Portsmouth, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, St Michael's Building, White Swan Road, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, UK.
Barbu
Eugen
E
Brown
James F
JF
Laight
David W
DW
Smart
John D
JD
Tsibouklis
John
J
D000268:Adhesiveness; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D011355:Prodrugs
D001391:Azo Compounds; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D020100:Hydrogels; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D011108:Polymers; D011355:Prodrugs