Mucoadhesive In Situ Rectal Gel Loaded with Rifampicin: Strategy to Improve Bioavailability and Alleviate Liver Toxicity

Although it is a front-line in tuberculosis treatment, rifampicin (RF) exhibits poor oral bioavailability and hepatotoxicity. Rectal mucoadhesive and in situ rectal gels were developed to overcome drug drawbacks. A RF/polyethylene glycol 6000 co-precipitate was first prepared in different ratios. Based on the drug solubility, the selected ratio was investigated for drug/polymer interaction and then incorporated into in situ rectal gels using Pluronic F127 (15%) and Pluronic F68 (10%) as a gel base and mucoadhesive polymers (HPMC, sodium alginate and chitosan). The formulations were assessed for gelation temperature and gel strength. The selected formulation was investigated for in vivo assessments. The results showed that a 1:1 drug/polymer ratio exhibited satisfying solubility with the recorded drug/polymer interaction. Depending on their concentrations, adding mucoadhesive polymers shifted the gelation temperature to lower temperatures and improved the gel strength. The selected formulation (F4) did not exhibit any anal leakage or marked rectal irritation. Using a validated chromatographic analytical method, F4 exhibited higher drug absorption with a 3.38-fold and 1.74-fold higher bioavailability when compared to oral drug suspension and solid suppositories, respectively. Toxicity studies showed unnoticeable hepatic injury in terms of biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations. Together, F4 showed a potential of enhanced performance and also offered lower hepatic toxicity, thus offering an encouraging therapeutic alternative.