ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In vitro enzymatic degradation of carboxymethy konjac glucomannan (CMKGM) were studied to evaluate the feasibility of CMKGM used as carrier materials to prepare colon-specific drug delivery systems.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The solutions with rat gastrointestinal tract (GIT) contents or with commercial enzymes were chosen to stimulate in vivo GIT environment, respectively. Enzymatic degradation of CMKGM were studied by viscometic procedure. Degradation kinetics of CMKGM and konjac glucomannan (KGM) by enzymes, the effects of the degree of substitution (DS) of CMKGM and the pH of solution on its susceptibility to degradation were investigated.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>CMKGM were degraded mainly in the simulated cecal and colonic media, but not in the simulated gastric and enteric media. Degradation of KGM and CMKGM by enzymes obeyed Michaelis-Menton kinetics. CMKGM with lower DS were more susceptible substrates. CMKGM were more susceptible substrates in solution with pH 6. 0-6. 8.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CMKGM had colon-specific enzymatic degradation characteristics and could be used as carrier materials to prepare colon-specific drug delivery systems.</p>