title: Novel salicylazo polymers for colon drug delivery: dissolving polymers by means of bacterial degradation.
abstract: Novel azo polymers were prepared for colonic drug delivery with a release mechanism based on structural features of azo derivatives designed for rapid bacterial degradation leading to soluble polymers. Two Salicylazo derivatives were prepared and conjugated as side chains at different ratios to methacrylic acid-methyl methacrylate copolymers (Eudragits). The azo compounds were designed to have a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic part on opposite sides of the azo bond. Upon reduction of the azo bonds, the hydrophobic part is released, resulting in a more water soluble polymer. The solubility of the polymeric films was studied relative to Eudragit S known to dissolve toward the end of the small intestine. One of the two azo derivatives prepared gave rise to polymers, which showed reduced solubility relative to Eudragit S. These polymers were subjected to reduction tests in anaerobic rat cecal suspensions by following the release of the hydrophobic product. Reduction rate was found to be rapid, comparable to that of Sulfasalazine. Studies on the azopolymeric films in anaerobic rat cecal suspensions, showed that these polymers dissolve faster than in sterilized suspensions. Solid dosage forms may be coated with these polymers to provide an efficient delivery system to the colon with a rapid release mechanism.
authors: Department of Organic Chemistry, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel. sigals@iibr.gov.il
authors: Sigal
authors: S
authors: Saphier
authors: Yishai
authors: Y
authors: Karton
mesh_terms: D000693:Anaerobiosis; D000818:Animals; D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D002432:Cecum / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005079:Excipients; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D011108:Polymers; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020156:Salicylic Acid / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D001391:Azo Compounds; D005079:Excipients; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D011108:Polymers; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; C038300:methylmethacrylate-methacrylic acid copolymer; D020156:Salicylic Acid