to enhance the anti-inflammatory effect as well as oral absorption of prednisolone (PR), through formulation of colonic targeted microspheres prepared from a blend of time and pH- dependent polymers and loaded with PR. Study
A decrease in drug entrapment efficiency % was obtained with increasing both polymers and surfactant concentrations. Based on drug release results, the formula of 1 1 0.16 w/w/w, EC ES100 PR ratio with 1% w/v span® 80 was selected for further histopathological evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity in colitis induced-rats. Histopathological study showed undefined tissuenecrosisafter treatment with the selected microspheres; however, diffused necrosis was observed in rats treated with the commercial tablets. In vivo absorption study showed that values of Cmax and AUC0-24 of both formulations were insignificantly different. However, the occurrence of Cmax of microspheres was significantly delayed in comparison to free drug (9.17 to 2.67hr) (P<.001).