Liposomes in colon targeting

Colon-targeted drug delivery devices have become increasingly popular in treating colonic disorders while minimizing systemic side effects. The worldwide pharmaceutical industry has had significant developments and there has been a need for more patient-friendly drug administration systems. A number of available formulations have poor selectivity for diseased colon tissue compared with healthy colon tissue. In addition, despite coverage to the surface of the colon (including diseased tissue), there is no guarantee that the drug is effectively taken up into cells at the site of inflammation. As a consequence, research has been conducted on the application of nanotechnology to designing the formulation to enhance the effectiveness of colon-target therapies. To achieve targeted delivery to the gastrointestinal tract, liposomes may be modified through the incorporation of polymer coatings. These coatings allow oral liposomal formulations to avoid degradation in hostile environments within the gastrointestinal tract. This chapter discusses strategies employed in targeting drug-encapsulated liposomes to the colon.