ARS | Publication request: Biocompatibility of Pectin-Protein Gels and Microencapsulates: In Vivo Study on Rats

Submitted to: Journal of Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: November 19, 2009
Publication Date: January 6, 2010
Citation: Khalikova, M.D., Rakhimov, E.F., Babokalonov, D.T., Muhidinov, Z.K., Liu, L.S. 2010. Biocompatibility of Pectin-Protein Gels and Microencapsulates: In Vivo Study on Rats. Journal of Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan. 52(5):386-390.

Interpretive Summary: Pectin is a plant cell wall polysaccharide. It has been known as a gelling, thickening, and film forming reagent. Million tons of pectin can be extracted from the residues of the U.S. fruit and vegetable processing, such as orange peels or sugar beet pulp. Currently, pectin is mainly used as food additives in food industries. Due to the limited market size, only a small portion of the available pectin is produced. Pectin was also studied for the use as materials for the construction of drug carriers, which deliver drugs from the mouth to the colonic site. The present in vivo study demonstrated the practicability of using pectin for colon-specific drug delivery. The research will, eventually, expand the market for pectin. The U.S. fruit and sugar beet growers will be benefited.

Technical Abstract: Pectin-protein complex hydrogel beads were tested in vivo on rats. The beads were pre-loaded with a model drug, piroxicam (PX), in ethanol at different loading rates. The rats were starved 8 hr prior to experiment. The rats were then fed with the beads. Blood samples were taken in 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hr post feeding. As blood plasma evaluation revealed, the pectin/protein beads are non-toxic and biocompatible. The beads were able to deliver the model drug at the colonic site of the rats; and the drug remained in the body for a prolonged time.