Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: Partly this is due to instability of protein drugs in classical solid dosage forms and hence the products are administered as an infusion through intravenous route than the oral route (W.Wang, 1999).Oral delivery is not possible since common types of oral dosage forms are unable to protect the drug against harsh acidic environment in stomach and proteolytic breakdown in GI tract (L.Shargel, 1999; Liu Xing, 2003).Protein and polypeptide molecules have demonstrated potential biological activity when tested against numerous untreatable diseases such as diabetes, hemophilia, and cancer.In order to be incorporated into human body, a protein drug has to remain stable and should be able to produce its therapeutic effect at the target receptor.The protein drugs which are bioavailable tend to show high specificity and activity but demonstrate relatively low plasma concentrations.The administration of a protein drug through the oral route generally leads to degradation by chemical reactions such as hydrolysis or proteolysis.Moreover proteins are metabolized by enzymes secreted into the GIT.One approach that can successfully deliver proteins orally is by protecting them from the acidic gastric environment (low pH) in the stomach.For example human insulin undergoes chemical degradation through the β-elimination reaction in the stomach.In order to circumvent the acidic stomach environment several pH sensitive hydro gels have been used to coat or entrap the protein drug facilitating its release into the small intestine which has alkaline pH.These biodegradable polymers are available naturally or through chemical synthesis.
Author: Kush Patel
Institution: University of Toledo
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmaceutical Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2261468282