Efficacy of resveratrol encapsulated microsponges delivered by pectin based matrix tablets in rats with acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of the present work to encapsulate the resveratrol (RES) inside the chitosan-based microsponges, employing the systematic optimization by 3³ Box–Behnken design for the colonic targeting.

Significance: Enhanced therapeutic efficacy of RES-loaded microsponges and matrix tablets, vis-a-vis pureRES for ulcerative colitis.

Methods: RES-loaded microsponges were prepared employing the systematic optimization by 3³ Box–Behnken design for the colonic targeting. The best-optimizedRES-loaded microsponge was compressed in the form of a tablet, employing pectin as a matrix-forming material. The encapsulation of RES inside microsponge was confirmed by XRD, DSC and FT-IR. Further, both RES-loaded microsponges and matrix tablets were evaluated for in vitro release kinetics and further evaluated for in vivo ulcerative colitis animal model.

Results: Optimization experiments was obtained as the high value of r² (particle size = 0.9999; %EE = 0.9652; %CDR = 0.9469) inferred excellent goodness of fit. SEM revealed nearly spherical and porous nature of RES-loaded microsponges. The in vitro release kinetic showed zero-order release for RES-loaded microsponges and Korsmeyer–Peppas model for matrix tablets. The pharmacodynamic studies, in ulcerative colitis rat model, indicated better therapeutic efficacy of drug-loaded microsponges and matrix tablets, vis-a-vis pure RES. Thus, the present study advocates the potential of RES based microsponges delivered by pectin based matrix tablet, in the treatment of various colonic disorders.

Conclusion: The present study proved that RES-loaded microsponges and matrix tablets based on chitosan and pectin can be the ideal delivery system for colonic delivery of RES.

Keywords:

• Chitosan
• Box–Behnken design
• quasi emulsion solvent diffusion method
• pectin
• ulcerative colitis
• release kinetics

Acknowledgements

Analytical and instrumental facilities provided by Shoolini University are extremely acknowledged. In addition to this, the authors appreciated the support of SAIF Lab (Punjab University), AMRCMandi (H.) in characterization.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).