In vivo evaluation of curcumin loaded granules using Eudragit FS30D and Guar-gum coating in the treatment of ulcerative colitis in albino rats

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a wide-reaching health problem with unknown etiology and its high mortality rates. Conventional therapy for onset treatment of active UC includes immunomodulators, corticosteroids, purine analogues, antibiotics and 5-aminosalicylic acid. Unfortunately, after, giving long term treatment to the patients associated with UC, these drugs are found to have undue side effects. There is a need for novel therapeutical agents which is least toxic, effective and economical. Experimental data from the preclinical studies suggested that curcumin, a natural polyphenol molecule derived from the Curcuma longa is effective in preventing ulcerative colitis. The present work is divided into two sections: 1) multiparticulate delivery of curcumin loaded granules to the colon and it's in vivo evaluation, 2) co-administration of curcumin along with probiotics to demonstrate significant protective action against acetic acid-induced UC in rats. Experimental research work is mainly focused on the induction of colitis, assessment of colitis, diarrhoea assessment, change in body weight, fecal bleeding assessmept, blood analysis and histopathological study of colonic sections. In conclusion, our results suggest that the co-adminigtration of probiotics along with colon targeted delivery of curcumin showed potential beneficial protective effect:against acetic acid induced UC in rats.