Chitosan-Carboxymethyl Tamarind Kernel Powder Interpolymer Complexation: Investigations for Colon Drug Delivery

The present study was aimed at evaluating the possible use of inter polymer complexed (IPC) films of chitosan (CH) and carboxymethyl tamarind kernel powder (CMTKP) for colon release of budesonide. Viscosity analysis of the supernatant liquid obtained after reacting CH and CMTKP in different proportions revealed 40:60 to be the optimum stoichiometric ratio. The FTIR spectra of IPC films formed from 50:50 or 40:60 ratio of CH:CMTKP did not reveal any reduction in the peaks at 1560cm⁻¹ and 1407cm⁻¹ after exposure to pH 1.2, suggesting resistance of the interaction between –COO⁻ groups of CMTKP and –NH₃⁺ groups of CH to gastric pH. Tablets containing Avicel pH 102 as diluent and coated to a weight gain of 10%, w/w with aqueous solutions of 40:60 or 50:50 ratio of CH:CMTKP did not release budesonide in pH 1.2 buffer. Histopathology of the rat colon after oral administration of these IPC film coated tablets revealed significantly greater (p<0.05) reduction in TNBSinduced ulcerative colitis as compared to that after administration of uncoated tablets. The Cmax of budesonide achieved after oral administration of these IPC film coated tablets was comparable to that observed after administration of uncoated tablets. The results strongly indicate versatility of CH-CMTKP IPC films to deliver budesonide in the colon.