Colon-specific delivery of budesonide with azopolymer-coated pellets: therapeutic effects of budesonide with a novel dosage form against 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid-induced colitis in rats.

The objective of this study was to achieve colon-specific delivery of budesonide using azopolymer-coated pellets and to accelerate healing of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid sodium salt (TNBS)-induced colitis in rats. After oral administration of azopolymer-coated pellets containing budesonide, a significant increase was observed in the therapeutic effects of the drug accompanied by a decrease in its systemic adverse effects when compared with oral administration in saline or rectal administration by enema. In addition, with the use of the colon-specific oral dosage form the dose of budesonide could be reduced. These results suggested that azopolymer-coated pellets may be a useful dosage form for the colon-specific delivery of budesonide as an anti-inflammatory steroid drug to bring about the healing of TNBS-induced colitis in rats.