IN VIVO EVALUATION OF PH-RESPONSIVE EUDRAGIT® S-100 COATED CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES FOR TARGETED CURCUMIN DELIVERY IN ULCERATIVE COLITIS

NEELESH KUMAR SAHU; NARENDRA KUMAR LARIYA

doi:10.22159/ijpps.2025v17i8.54905

Authors

NEELESH KUMAR SAHU Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, RKDF University, Gandhi Nagar, Bhopal, MP, India
NARENDRA KUMAR LARIYA Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, RKDF University, Gandhi Nagar, Bhopal, MP, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ijpps.2025v17i8.54905

Keywords:

Chitosan nanoparticles, Curcumin, Curcumin eudragit S-100, Ulcerative colitis

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the in vivo efficacy of pH-responsive Eudragit® S-100–coated chitosan nanoparticles encapsulating curcumin (Formulation F4) in an acetic acid–induced ulcerative colitis (UC) model in Wistar rats. This study assessed whether targeted nanoparticle delivery enhances anti-inflammatory outcomes and mucosal healing compared to free curcumin suspension and blank controls.

Methods: Curcumin-loaded nanoparticles were prepared by ionotropic gelation of chitosan with sodium tripolyphosphate, followed by Eudragit® S-100 coating via solvent evaporation. Male Wistar rats (150–250 g) were randomized into six groups (n = 6 each): normal control (saline), colitis control (saline after acetic acid), blank nanoparticles, curcumin-loaded nanoparticles orally, free curcumin suspension orally, and curcumin-loaded nanoparticles rectally. Colitis was induced on Day 0 by intrarectal instillation of 1 ml of 5% acetic acid. Treatments commenced on Day 3 post-induction and continued once daily for seven days. Clinical parameters-body weight, stool consistency, and rectal bleeding-were recorded daily. On Day 10, rats were sacrificed; colon tissues were harvested to measure colon/body weight ratio, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, ulcer index, and subjected to histopathology. Results are expressed as mean±SD and analyzed by one-way ANOVA (p<0.05).

Results: Colitis controls exhibited progressive weight loss (192±2.9 g to 150±2.7 g). Oral nanoparticle–treated rats stabilized from 193±4.1 g to 180±4.8 g, and rectal from 164±4.8 g to 151±3.6 g, whereas free suspension continued to decline (164±3.5 g to 130±3.5 g). Stool consistency normalized by Days 6 (oral) and 5 (rectal) in nanoparticle groups; rectal bleeding ceased by Day 5. Clinical activity scores for oral and rectal nanoparticles decreased to 0.8±0.7 and 0.7±0.7 by Day 8 (p<0.01 vs. colitis control), while free suspension reached 1.4±1.0. Colon/body weight ratios were reduced to 0.007±0.001 (oral) and 0.008±0.001 (rectal) versus 0.010±0.004 in colitis controls (p<0.05). MPO activity decreased to 9.13±0.22 U/mg (oral) and 16.43±0.17 U/mg (rectal) compared to 32.96±0.41 U/mg in colitis controls (p<0.05). Ulcer index scores dropped from 9.70±0.11 to 4.30±0.14 (oral) and 4.81±0.19 (rectal) (p<0.05). Histology confirmed preserved mucosal integrity in nanoparticle groups versus extensive ulceration in controls.

Conclusion: Curcumin-loaded Eudragit® S-100–coated chitosan nanoparticles significantly improve clinical and pathological outcomes in UC, offering a promising targeted drug delivery strategy for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.

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