Enhancement of paracellular drug transport with highly quaternized N-trimethyl chitosan chloride in neutral environments: in vitro evaluation in intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2).

Previous studies have established that a partially quaternized derivative of chitosan, N-trimethyl chitosan chloride (TMC), can be used as an absorption enhancer for large hydrophilic compounds across mucosal surfaces. This study evaluates and compares the effects of the degree of quaternization of TMC, in a neutral environment, on the permeability of intestinal epithelial cells in vitro, where normal chitosan salts are ineffective as absorption enhancers. The effects of TMC-H [61.