Colonic delivery of vasoactive intestinal peptide nanomedicine alleviates colitis and shows promise as an oral capsule

Aim:To evaluate the efficacy of locally delivered nanomedicine, vasoactive intestinal peptide in sterically stabilized micelles (VIP-SSM) to the colon and conductin vitrorelease studies of a potential oral formulation.Materials & methods:Intracolonic instillation of VIP-SSM was tested in a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis. Based on the effective mouse dose, human equivalent dose containing nanomedicine powder was filled into enteric coated capsules forin vitrorelease testing.Results:Colonic delivery of VIP-SSM significantly alleviated colitis. VIP-SSM containing capsules completely dissolved at colonic pH allowing micelles to reform with active VIP. Capsule formulations exhibited reproducible release profiles when stored up to 6 weeks demonstrating stability.Conclusion:VIP-SSM is an effective nanomedicine formulation which appears to have potential for oral treatment of colitis in humans.