In a recent study published in the Future Pharmacology Journal, researchers from prestigious French companies examined the impact of four polyols—mannitol, maltitol, sorbitol, and xylitol—on the permeability of seven active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The investigation, utilizing the Caco-2 cell permeability model, aimed to determine whether polyols could alter drug absorption and bioavailability.
The article, entitled “Polyols Permeability on Caco-2 Cells and Their Effects on Transport of Low-Permeability Drugs“, has conducted different analytical methods such as Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry.
About the study
Pharmaceutical excipients play a crucial role in drug formulation, influencing the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical preparations. Historically, excipients were viewed as inert substances used for various functions, such as dilution, binding, and coating. However, recent scientific data suggested that certain excipients, including polyols, might influence drug absorption and bioavailability by modifying solubility or altering intestinal permeability.
The study focused on four polyols, assessing their impact on the permeability of seven APIs representing different Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) classes. The researchers utilized the CacoReady Caco-2 cell permeability model, widely accepted for studying drug absorption mechanisms.
Contrary to expectations, the results demonstrated that polyols did not significantly modify the permeability of furosemide, amiloride, atenolol, ranitidine, nadolol, acyclovir, and L-thyroxine. The Caco-2 cell monolayer remained intact throughout the experiments, with no notable changes in Lucifer Yellow passage or electrical resistance.In conclusion, the study sheds light on the relationship between polyols and drug permeability, providing evidence that these excipients do not significantly alter the absorption of the tested APIs.
