Brayden DJ, et al. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2021, 159, 105737.
Sodium glycodeoxycholate (SGC) is a bile salt that has been studied as an epithelial permeation enhancer (PE) for intestinal and buccal drug delivery. Despite its potential, it is less popular due to concerns over non-specific action and potential toxicity.
Methodology: This study revisited SGC, comparing their efficacy and toxicity using in vitro and ex vivo models. Cytotoxicity assays were performed on Caco-2 cells to assess cellular changes at various concentrations. Both agents were tested at 10 mM concentrations in Ussing chambers to evaluate their effect on transepithelial resistance (TEER) and permeability across isolated rat colonic mucosae. Additionally, SGC and DC were tested on a buccal epithelial cell line (TR146) and isolated porcine buccal mucosae to assess their impact on cellular parameters and permeability.
Results: At concentrations greater than 2 mM, SGC altered cellular parameters over 60 minutes. The agent significantly reduced TEER and increased the permeability (Papp) of [3H]-octreotide across rat colonic mucosae. SGC, at 10 mM, also increased the Papp of paracellular markers like FITC-dextran 4000 (FD4) and the fluorescent peptide FITC-LKP without damaging tissue histology. In buccal models, SGC demonstrated high potency and efficacy, particularly in increasing the Papp of [14C]-mannitol and [3H]-octreotide across porcine buccal tissue, again without causing tissue damage.
Conclusion: SGC is an effective PE in both intestinal and buccal models, enhancing paracellular fluxes of hydrophilic molecules, including peptides. These findings suggest that SGC, in particular, holds promise for enhancing drug delivery through epithelial tissues.