Overcoming therapeutic obstacles in inflammatory bowel diseases: a comprehensive review on novel drug delivery strategies

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are a group of debilitating inflammatory complications specially inflicting colonic tissue in which full long term remission with current standardized treatments is yet intangible. Therapeutic side effects and efficacy considerations necessitate the development of more effective systems which lower the required drug doses, reduce systemic adverse effects and deliver the drug specifically to the desired site of action in colon. The large surface area in large intestine is suitable for drug absorption but the primary approaches to treatment depend on the gastrointestinal (GI) condition and its movements. Hereafter, there are novel GI-independent targeted drug delivery systems or therapeutic approaches, including micro- and nanoparticles that have been developed for IBD treatment and have the potential to overcome some of the current drawbacks of conventional IBD therapy. This review provides broad but concise information over the arena of the evolving systems aimed at different targets involved in IBD which are being studied in animal or in vitro models of this complication, while comparing these to conventional treatments. It further discusses important pros and cons of therapeutic approaches against IBD while helping to better understand and evaluate the future impact of novel drug delivery systems on human IBD and assisting in focusing the future research in this topic, on strategies which could provide maximum remission in IBD patients.

Keywords: Biological therapy; IBD; Microparticles; Nanopartiles; Prodrug systems.