Novel biodegradable pH-sensitive hydrogels: An efficient controlled release system to manage ulcerative colitis.

The aim of this study was to develop and characterize a pH sensitive, biodegradable, interpenetrating polymeric network (IPNs) for colon specific delivery of sulfasalazine in ulcerative colitis. It also entailed in-vitro and in-vivo evaluations to optimize colon targeting efficiency, improve drug accumulation at the target site, and ameliorate the off-target effects of chemotherapy. Pectin was grafted with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and methacrylic acid (MAA) by free radical polymerization. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), energy dispersion X-ray (EDX) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirmed the development of stable pectin-g-(PEG-co-MAA) hydrogels. The swelling and release studies exhibited that the hydrogels were capable of releasing drug specifically at colonic pH (pH 7.4). The toxicological potential of polymers, monomers and hydrogel was investigated using the Balb/c animal model, that confirmed the safety of the hydrogels. In vitro degradation of the hydrogel was evaluated using pectinase enzyme in various simulated fluids and the results showed that the hydrogels were susceptible to biodegradation by the natural microflora of the colon. In-vivo study was performed using Dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) rat model proved the hydrogels to be effective in the management of UC.