Chitosan and hyaluronic acid Polyelectrolytic complexes containing mesalazine potentially applicable as a modulating mucus system in ulcerative colitis

• Grant number: 19/26229-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2020
• End date: December 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Maria Palmira Daflon Gremião
• Grantee: Janaína da Silva Romão
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by intense mucosal inflammation accompanied by ulceration, edema and hemorrhage. The most recent studies point to a new paradigm for the treatment of the disease, mucosal healing. The search for new approaches in the treatment of UC has defined mucus as an important biological target to consider, as it is related to the mucosal healing process. Recent findings indicate that the destruction of the double mucus layer present in the colon is responsible for the exposure of the epithelium to bacteria leading to the infectious and inflammatory process of UC. Thus, rebuilding and / or strengthening the mucus barrier in this region is a promising approach to therapy. Mucus-modulating systems, that is, integrating mucoadhesive / mucopenetrant capacity can modulate the barrier properties when in contact with the mucus. In this project, it is proposed to develop a new potentially muco-modulatory system by combining chitosan polycation (CS) with Hyaluronic Acid (HA) polyanion for colonic drug delivery of Mesalazine (MSZ). CS is widely investigated as a mucoadhesive polymer. HA is an extracellular matrix polymer and also has action on wound healing. MSZ is the anti-inflammatory drug commonly used to treat UC. All polymeric complexes (PECs) will be prepared by the polyelectrolytic complexation method and characterized in relation to size, size distribution, zeta potential and mucin interaction.