Colon Targeted Novel Drug Delivery Systems of Aceclofenac for Synchronizing the Chronopharmacological Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The goal in drug delivery research is to develop formulations to meet therapeutic needs relating to particular pathological conditions. Variation of physiological and pathophysiological functions at a particular time of a day has brought a new approach to the development of drug delivery systems. Research in chronopharmacological field has demonstrated the importance of biological rhythms in drug therapy. If symptoms of a disease display circadian variation, drug release should also vary over time. Utilization of different technologies in development of time controlled, pulsed, triggered and programmed drug delivery devices have been undergoing in recent years. Formulations should be justified by biopharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic study in order to choose the best hour for administration. Another point raised by circadian variation of physiological function is that drug pharmacokinetics can also be time dependent (i.e. chronopharmacokinetics). Both variations in a disease state and drug concentration in plasma need to be taken into consideration in developing drug delivery systems intended for treatment of diseases with adequate dose at appropriate time. The objective of the present study was to develop a controlled release colon targeted drug delivery system of aceclofenac, the non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug to approximate the chonobiology of rheumatoid arthritis. The system as a potential value when a delay in absorption is desired from a therapeutic point of view in the treatment of disease such as rheumatoid arthitis which have peak symptoms in early morning. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory auto immuno disorder that causes the immune system to attack the joints. The disease displays circadian variations and so drug release should also vary over time. Research in this so called chonopharmacological field has assumed significance in developing drug delivery systems that demonstrate the important of biological rhythms in drug therapy. The present study focussed on viability of tablets, pellets and microspheres of aceclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug prepared with microbially degraded polymers such as pectin, guar gum, chitosan, chondroitin sulphate and xanthan gum for controlled and colon specific delivery in chonotherapy of rheumatoid arthitis. The in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that pectin pellets and chitosan microspheres of aceclofenac are promising for therapy of rheumatoid arthitis. Further detailed studies in human subjects will though more light on their efficacy and compliance