Physicochemical characterization of diclofenac sodium-loaded poloxamer gel as a rectal delivery system with fast absorption

Chul Soon Yong, Hongkee Sah, Yurngdong Jahng, Hyeun Wook Chang, Jong Keun Son, Seung Ho Lee, Tae Cheon Jeong, Jong Dal Rhee, Suk Hwan Baek, Chong Kook Kim, Han Gon Choi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rectal poloxamer gel systems composed of poloxamers and bioadhesive polymers were easy to administer to the anus and were mucoadhesive to the rectal tissues without leakage after the dose. However, a poloxamer gel containing diclofenac sodium could not be developed using bioadhesive polymers, since the drug was precipitated in this preparation. To develop a poloxamer gel using sodium chloride instead of bioadhesive polymers, the physicochemical properties such as gelation temperature, gel strength, and bioadhesive force of various formulations composed of diclofenac sodium, poloxamers, and sodium chloride were investigated. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetic study of diclofenac sodium delivered by the poloxamer gel was performed. Diclofenac sodium significantly increased the gelation temperature and weakened the gel strength and bioadhesive force, while sodium chloride did the opposite. The poloxamer gels with less than 1.0% sodium chloride, in which the drug was not precipitated, were inserted into the rectum without difficulty and leakage, and were retained in the rectum of rats for at least 6 hr. Furthermore, poloxamer gel gave significantly higher initial plasma concentrations and faster Tmax of diclofenac sodium than did solid suppository, indicating that drug from poloxamer gel could be absorbed faster than that from the solid one in rats. Our results suggested that a rectal poloxamer gel system with sodium chloride and poloxamers was a more physically stable, convenient, and effective rectal dosage form for diclofenac sodium.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)545-553
Number of pages9
JournalDrug Development and Industrial Pharmacy
Volume29
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by Korea Research Foundation Grant (KRF-2002-E00018).

Keywords

  • Diclofenac sodium
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Poloxamer gel
  • Sodium chloride

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