DRUG ABSORPTION ENHANCEMENT

Optimal drug delivery to the pharmacological site of action remains a significant challenge for many drugs that are poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration.  One approach to overcome the restriction of the physical barrier to drug absorption is the co-administration of absorption enhancing agents.  Absorption enhancers from chemically diverse groups have been identified but special attention has been given to polymeric materials because they are normally not absorbed themselves and thereby prevent any systemic toxicity.  Natural polymers and their derivatives such as chitosan and N-trimethyl chitosan chloride have shown high potential as intestinal absorption enhancing agents.  Currently several research projects in our laboratories focus on the drug absorption enhancing properties of aloe leave gel and whole leave extracts.