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Abstract
Currently, colon-specific drug delivery systems have been investigated for drugs that can exert their bioactivities in the colon. In this study, Eudragit® S100 coated calcium pectinate microsphere, a pH-dependent and enzyme-dependent system, as colon-specific delivery carrier for curcumin was investigated. Curcumin-loaded calcium pectinate microspheres were prepared by emulsification-linkage method, and the preparation technology was optimised by uniform experimental design. The morphology of microspheres was observed under scanning electron microscopy. Interactions between drug and polymers were investigated with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction. In vitro drug release studies were performed in simulated colonic fluid in the presence of Pectinex Ultra SP-L or 1% (w/v) rat caecal content, and the results indicated that the release of curcumin was significantly increased in the presence of 1% (w/v) rat caecal contents. It could be concluded that Eudragit® S100 coated calcium pectinate microsphere was a potential carrier for colon delivery of curcumin.