Effects of Different Capsule Types for Oral Application of Active Substances – Investigations with Organ-Specific Cells

1.1. Background: A capsule is a solid dosage form that delivers a defined dose of an active ingredient. Most capsules are made for oral application by mouth with subsequent swallowing. Capsule materials for the shell are not only of importance for the release of active ingredients, but should also be without any impact on the digestive tract and the active ingredient itself. Some capsule materials have been shown to possess unwanted effects after digestion.

1.2. Materials and Methods: By using different organ-specific cell cultures such as connective tissue fibroblasts, intestinal epithelial cells and functional neutrophils, we examined three different commercially available and commonly used capsule types for unwanted side-effects. We examined (i) hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) capsules (market standard), (ii) Pullulan capsules and (iii) HPMC capsules free of polyethylene glycol and carrageenan. We examined antioxidant and acute cytotoxic effects as well as the effect on wound healing process, basal cell metabolism and proinflammatory potential of aqueous capsule solutions.

1.3. Results: The three capsule types reacted very different in the tests, but with the HPMC capsules free of polyethylene glycol and carrageenan performing in most tests very well. This was particularly evident by the minor effects on cell vitality, cell regenerative potential and proinflammatory potential when compared to HPMC (market standard) or Pullulan capsules. From the results of the study presented here, the use of more expensive HPMC capsules free of polyethylene glycol and carrageenan for application of orally administered active ingredients can be highly recommended.

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Article information: Dartsch PC. Effects of Different Capsule Types for Oral Application of Active Substances – Investigations with Organ-Specific Cells. Japanese J Gstro Hepato. 2021; V6(16): 1-7

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