Inulin-based colon targeted drug delivery systems: advancing site-specific therapeutics

Abstract Colon-targeted drug delivery has been used for the delivery of different drugs for the treatment of local diseases, as well as for the systemic delivery of proteins, therapeutic peptides, antiasthmatic drugs, antihypertensive drugs, and antidiabetic agents. Inulin is a polysaccharide mainly...

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Main Authors: Melese Getachew, Aytenew Atnaf, Mekdes Kiflu, Sefefe Birhanu Tizie, Getinet Nibret, Wubetu Yihunie Belay
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-07-01
Series:Discover Materials
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-025-00311-w
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author Melese Getachew
Aytenew Atnaf
Mekdes Kiflu
Sefefe Birhanu Tizie
Getinet Nibret
Wubetu Yihunie Belay
author_facet Melese Getachew
Aytenew Atnaf
Mekdes Kiflu
Sefefe Birhanu Tizie
Getinet Nibret
Wubetu Yihunie Belay
author_sort Melese Getachew
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Colon-targeted drug delivery has been used for the delivery of different drugs for the treatment of local diseases, as well as for the systemic delivery of proteins, therapeutic peptides, antiasthmatic drugs, antihypertensive drugs, and antidiabetic agents. Inulin is a polysaccharide mainly of plant origin that is indigestible by human enzymes and hence reaches the colon intact. Its unique properties, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and selective breakdown by colonic microbiota along with its natural abundance, ease of production, and additional nutritional and health impacts make inulin a good candidate for drug delivery. The main aim of this review is to highlight the various formulation approaches for inulin-based colon-targeted drug delivery systems. Inulin-based solid dispersions, complexes, hydrogels, conjugates, microparticles, and nanoparticles are discussed in the review. Inulin and its various modification products could be considered a good vehicle for colon-targeted delivery of drugs belonging to various pharmacological classes to be used in both systemic and local routes. Although in vitro drug release studies have been conducted in many studies included in this review in vivo bioavailability and pharmacokinetics investigations are still lacking. Studies to optimize the drug-loading capacity, release kinetics, stability of inulin-based delivery systems, and scale-up of inulin-based colon-targeted formulations should be sought.
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spelling doaj-art-f390e8ab9aef4091a39c1a98d53c1f5d2025-08-20T04:01:42ZengSpringerDiscover Materials2730-77272025-07-015111710.1007/s43939-025-00311-wInulin-based colon targeted drug delivery systems: advancing site-specific therapeuticsMelese Getachew0Aytenew Atnaf1Mekdes Kiflu2Sefefe Birhanu Tizie3Getinet Nibret4Wubetu Yihunie Belay5Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos UniversityDepartment Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos UniversityPharmacy Department, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos UniversityDepartment Health Informatics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos UniversityPharmacy Department, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos UniversityPharmacy Department, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos UniversityAbstract Colon-targeted drug delivery has been used for the delivery of different drugs for the treatment of local diseases, as well as for the systemic delivery of proteins, therapeutic peptides, antiasthmatic drugs, antihypertensive drugs, and antidiabetic agents. Inulin is a polysaccharide mainly of plant origin that is indigestible by human enzymes and hence reaches the colon intact. Its unique properties, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and selective breakdown by colonic microbiota along with its natural abundance, ease of production, and additional nutritional and health impacts make inulin a good candidate for drug delivery. The main aim of this review is to highlight the various formulation approaches for inulin-based colon-targeted drug delivery systems. Inulin-based solid dispersions, complexes, hydrogels, conjugates, microparticles, and nanoparticles are discussed in the review. Inulin and its various modification products could be considered a good vehicle for colon-targeted delivery of drugs belonging to various pharmacological classes to be used in both systemic and local routes. Although in vitro drug release studies have been conducted in many studies included in this review in vivo bioavailability and pharmacokinetics investigations are still lacking. Studies to optimize the drug-loading capacity, release kinetics, stability of inulin-based delivery systems, and scale-up of inulin-based colon-targeted formulations should be sought.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-025-00311-wColon-targetedDrug deliveryHydrogelsInulinNanoparticlesConjugates
spellingShingle Melese Getachew
Aytenew Atnaf
Mekdes Kiflu
Sefefe Birhanu Tizie
Getinet Nibret
Wubetu Yihunie Belay
Inulin-based colon targeted drug delivery systems: advancing site-specific therapeutics
Discover Materials
Colon-targeted
Drug delivery
Hydrogels
Inulin
Nanoparticles
Conjugates
title Inulin-based colon targeted drug delivery systems: advancing site-specific therapeutics
title_full Inulin-based colon targeted drug delivery systems: advancing site-specific therapeutics
title_fullStr Inulin-based colon targeted drug delivery systems: advancing site-specific therapeutics
title_full_unstemmed Inulin-based colon targeted drug delivery systems: advancing site-specific therapeutics
title_short Inulin-based colon targeted drug delivery systems: advancing site-specific therapeutics
title_sort inulin based colon targeted drug delivery systems advancing site specific therapeutics
topic Colon-targeted
Drug delivery
Hydrogels
Inulin
Nanoparticles
Conjugates
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-025-00311-w
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