Phenolic Acid Analogues as a Potential Drug Formulation for Inflammatory Diseases

Phenolic Acid Analogs as a Potential Drug Formulation for Inflammatory Diseases: We seek to establish the link between toll-like receptors (TLR) in the pathogenesis of inflammation and formulate a phenolic acid analog as a potential drug formulation for inflammatory diseases. We developed a stable drug-polymer complex of a phenolic acid using pH-sensitive polymers that will target inflammation. Various analogs were synthesized with nano-co-precipitation experimentation. Using a variety of polymers, solvents, and stabilizers the most effective combination for optimal delivery was determined. The particle size, drug loading, and dissolution profile under various pH are identified with various polymers. The formulated complex will be studied for biochemical, genetic changes in the human tissues in the class II environment. The physiological and pharmacological effects will be studied in live mice in an animal facility. These results will broaden the understanding and deduce the role that TLRs have in the causation of inflammation, and efficacy of the drug. In the long term, this may reveal TLRs as druggable targets and the phenolic acid polymer complexes as an inhibitor of the TLRs respectively. Specifically, this project aims to explore the effect of this stable drug-polymer complex on Inflammatory Bowel Disease, which affects 15% of American primary care patients. Currently, all pharmaceutical solutions pose negative side effects and the drug utilized in this complex will prospectively reduce these effects