Solid dispersion-based pellet for colon delivery of tacrolimus through time- and pH-dependent layer coating: preparation, in vitro and in vivo studies

Abstract

The intent of the present investigation is to develop and evaluate colon-specific coated tacrolimus solid dispersion pellet (SDP) that retards drug release in the stomach and small intestine but progressively releases in the colon. Tacrolimus-SDP was prepared by extrusion-spheronization technology and optimized by the micromeritic properties including flowability, friability, yields and dissolution rate. Subsequently, the pH-dependent layer (Eudragit L30D55) and time-dependent layer (Eudragit NE30D and L30D55) were coated on the SDP to form tacrolimus colon-specific pellets (CSP) using a fluidized bed coater. Under in vitro gradient pH environment, tacrolimus only released from CSP after changing pH to 6.8 and then quickly released in the phosphate buffer solution of pH 7.2. The Cmax of CSP was 195.68 ± 3.14 ng/mL at Tmax 4.5 ± 0.24 h where as in case of SDP, the Cmax was 646.16 ± 8.15 ng/mL at Tmax 0.5 ± 0.03 h, indicating the ability of CSP targeted to colon. The highest area under the curve was achieved 2479.58 ± 183.33 ng•h/mL for SDP, which was 2.27-fold higher than tacrolimus suspension. However, the best biodistribution performance was achieved from CSP. In conclusion, SDP combining of pH-and time-dependent approaches was suitable for targeted delivery of tacrolimus to colon.

Enteric coating of tablets containing an amorphous solid dispersion of an enteric polymer and a weakly basic drug: A strategy to enhance in vitro release

“…An enteric coating strategy has been applied to ASD formulations in several prior studies ( Riekes et al, 2017 , Riekes et al, 2016 , Smeets et al, 2020 ). Enteric coating was employed to achieve colonic delivery of a tacrolimus ASD formulated with HPMC, using a coating of Eudragit® L 30 D-55 ( Guo et al, 2019 ). In terms of using coatings to prevent drug crystallization of ASDs, both enteric and non-enteric coatings have been evaluated.…”

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“…in an airheated oven to constant weight. Dried batches were labeled and stored in an airtight container 12 .…”

Preparation and Evaluation of Auxiliary Permeable Microneedle Patch Composed of Polyvinyl Alcohol and Eudragit NM30D Aqueous Dispersion

“…As a skeleton material, Eudragit NM30D has wide applications in the field of drug coating and prolonging or controlling release, such as solid dispersion, enteric-coated formulations, etc. [ 24 , 25 ]. In addition, Eudragit NM30D exhibits film-forming properties.…”