Enteric polymer based on pH-responsive aliphatic polycarbonate functionalized with vitamin E to facilitate oral delivery of tacrolimus

Biomacromolecules. 2015 Apr 13;16(4):1179-90. doi: 10.1021/bm501847u. Epub 2015 Mar 18.

Abstract

To improve the bioavailability of orally administered drugs, we synthesized a pH-sensitive polymer (poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(2-methyl-2-carboxyl-propylene carbonate)-vitamin E, mPEG-PCC-VE) attempting to integrate the advantages of enteric coating and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibition. The aliphatic polycarbonate chain was functionalized with carboxyl groups and vitamin E via postpolymerization modification. Optimized by comparison and central composite design, mPEG113-PCC32-VE4 exhibited low critical micelle concentration of 1.7 × 10(-6) mg/mL and high drug loading ability for tacrolimus (21.2% ± 2.7%, w/w). The pH-responsive profile was demonstrated by pH-dependent swelling and in vitro drug release. Less than 4.0% tacrolimus was released under simulated gastric fluid after 2.5 h, whereas an immediate release was observed under simulated intestinal fluid. The mPEG113-PCC32-VE4 micelles significantly increased the absorption of P-gp substrate tacrolimus in the whole intestine. The oral bioavailability of tacrolimus micelles was 6-fold higher than that of tacrolimus solution in rats. This enteric polymer therefore has the potential to become a useful nanoscale carrier for oral delivery of drugs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Drug Carriers / chemical synthesis*
  • Drug Carriers / pharmacokinetics
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Intestinal Absorption
  • Micelles*
  • Polycarboxylate Cement / chemistry*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Tacrolimus / administration & dosage*
  • Tacrolimus / pharmacokinetics
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Vitamin E / chemistry*

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Micelles
  • Polycarboxylate Cement
  • Vitamin E
  • polycarbonate
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Tacrolimus