Investigating the potential of Tamarindus indica pectin-chitosan conjugate for reducing recovery period in TNBS induced colitis

The present study was aimed at exploiting the wound healing applications and tablet coating potential of Tamarindus indica pectin-chitosan (PCH) conjugate for reducing recovery period from TNBS induced colitis. The PCH (60:40, 3% w/v) solution when spray coated followed by drying at 50 °C created hydrophobic surface, that may be due to interaction of pectin with chitosan as evident from temperature ramping rheological investigations. Further, the 15% w/v coating was sufficient to prevent Mesalamine (Ma) release in pH 1.2. The AUC and AUMC of PCH coated tablets were 1.98 and 17.69 fold increased as compared to uncoated tablets. A synergistic therapeutic effect of PCH conjugate with Ma was evident from the colon/body weight ratio, clinical activity and damage score. Overall, the findings suggested PCH and Ma (20 mg) reduces the recovery period from 5 to 4 days with reduction in dose.