Mesalamine-Loaded Microsponges as a Potential Strategy for Colon-Specific Drug Delivery

Abstract

Mesalamine, a key therapeutic agent for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), often suffers from suboptimal release and therapeutic efficacy due to premature drug release in the upper gastrointestinal tract. To address these challenges, this study investigates the use of mesalamine-loaded microsponges for colon-specific drug delivery. Mesalamine was encapsulated within microsponges using a solvent evaporation technique, and the resulting formulation was characterized in terms of particle size, morphology, drug loading efficiency, and release profile. The microsponges exhibited uniform spherical morphology with a controlled release profile, demonstrating a significant delay in drug release until reaching the colon. In vitro studies confirmed the colon-targeted release of mesalamine, while in vivo experiments in a murine colitis model revealed reduced inflammation and improved clinical outcomes compared to conventional mesalamine formulations. These findings suggest that mesalamine-loaded microsponges hold promise as an effective strategy for enhancing the targeted delivery and therapeutic efficacy of mesalamine in the treatment of IBD. Further research and optimization are warranted to validate these results and assess long-term safety and clinical benefits.