Assessment of the in-vivo drug release from pellets film-coated with a dispersion of high amylose starch and ethylcellulose for potential colon delivery.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to test the ability of a colon targeting system comprising pellets film-coated with a dispersion of high amylose starch (Hylon VII) and ethylcellulose (Surelease) (1 : 2 w/w) to deliver a model drug (5-aminosalicylic acid; 5-ASA) in vivo into the colon of rabbits. An uncoated pellet formulation was used as a control.

Methods: Six New Zealand female rabbits, approximately 2 kg, were randomly divided into two groups.