Corrugated surface microparticles with chitosan and levofloxacin for improved aerodynamic performance

Mannitol-leucine synergy in nanocrystal agglomerates for enhanced systemic delivery of inhaled ketoprofen: Pharmacokinetics and safety in ovalbumin-sensitized rats

Pulmonary administration offers a promising needle-free approach for systemic delivery of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), improving bioavailability and reducing required doses. While mannitol and leucine are widely used in inhalation formulations, their potential to enhance systemic drug delivery via the pulmonary route remains largely unexplored. This study utilizes the nanocrystal agglomerates (NCAs) approach to develop an inhalable NSAID formulation, with ketoprofen (KTP) as a model drug. Wet media milling and nano spray drying were employed for NCA fabrication, and the roles of mannitol and leucine were evaluated individually and in combination. Notably, their combination exhibited synergy, overcoming limitations observed with individual excipients. Mannitol-based sample (K1M) reduced aerosol performance by increasing the mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) to 4.5 µm, whereas leucine-based sample (K1L) improved aerosolization but resulted in a low MMAD (<1 µm), suggesting a high tendency for exhalation. The combined mannitol-leucine formulation (K1ML) achieved optimal aerosol performance, balancing dispersibility and controlled deposition. K1ML also exhibited the fastest drug release (99 % in 5 min) and enhanced permeability across the alveolar barrier while maintaining biocompatibility. Pharmacokinetic analysis confirmed that inhaled K1ML provided superior bioavailability (AUC 73 µg·h/mL) compared to oral KTP nanosuspension (42 µg·h/mL) and raw KTP (9 µg·h/mL). Nonetheless, prolonged inhalation in asthmatic models (ovalbumin-sensitised rats) impaired pulmonary function, emphasizing the need for dose optimization. These findings demonstrate that the mannitol-leucine combination in NCAs enhances systemic NSAID delivery, optimizing both aerosol performance and bioavailability. Future studies should refine dosing strategies to ensure long-term safety and clinical feasibility.

Enhancing the Encapsulation Performances of Liposomes for Amphiphilic Copolymers by Computer Simulations

Liposomes, which encapsulate drugs into an inner aqueous core and demonstrate high drug-loading capacity, have attracted considerable interest in the field of drug delivery. Herein, the encapsulation processes for amphiphilic copolymers within liposomes have been investigated systematically to enhance the encapsulation capacity and optimize the structures using dissipative particle dynamics simulations. The results indicate that the physicochemical properties of lipids, receptors, and amphiphilic copolymers collectively determine the encapsulation behaviors of liposomes. Adjusting the hydrophobic interaction between hydrophobic tails of lipids (receptors) and hydrophobic blocks of copolymers, along with modulating the specific interaction between ligands and the functional head groups of receptors, can lead to various encapsulation capacities. Significantly, a medium hydrophobic interaction strength or a strong specific interaction is conducive to achieving a higher degree of encapsulation for amphiphilic copolymers. Furthermore, varying the key parameters, such as the hydrophobic interaction, the specific interaction, as well as the concentrations of lipids and receptors, can induce seven typical aggregate structures: heterogeneous, fully encapsulated, partially encapsulated, saturated-encapsulated, unsaturated-encapsulated, multilamellar, and column-like structures. The final phase diagrams are also constructed to provide a guideline for designing various structures of liposomes encapsulated with amphiphilic copolymers. These results significantly contribute to the illumination of strategies for the rational construction of the self-assembly system that facilitates the efficient encapsulation of amphiphilic copolymers within the inner aqueous core of liposomes, thereby providing valuable insights into the optimal design of liposome carriers for future biomedical applications.

Electrospun multi-chamber core-shell nanofibers and their controlled release behaviors: A review

Core-shell structure is a concentric circle structure found in nature. The rapid development of electrospinning technology provides more approaches for the production of core-shell nanofibers. The nanoscale effects and expansive specific surface area of core-shell nanofibers can facilitate the dissolution of drugs. By employing ingenious structural designs and judicious polymer selection, specialized nanofiber drug delivery systems can be prepared to achieve controlled drug release. The synergistic combination of core-shell structure and materials exhibits a strong strategy for enhancing the drug utilization efficiency and customizing the release profile of drugs. Consequently, multi-chamber core-shell nanofibers hold great promise for highly efficient disease treatment. However, little attention concentration is focused on the effect of multi-chamber core-shell nanofibers on controlled release of drugs. In this review, we introduced different fabrication techniques for multi-chamber core-shell nanostructures, including advanced electrospinning technologies and surface functionalization. Subsequently, we reviewed the different controlled drug release behaviors of multi-chamber core-shell nanofibers and their potential needs for disease treatment. The comprehensive elucidation of controlled release behaviors based on electrospun multi-chamber core-shell nanostructures could inspire the exploration of novel controlled delivery systems. Furthermore, once these fibers with customizable drug release profiles move toward industrial mass production, they will potentially promote the development of pharmacy and the treatment of various diseases. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.

A Novel Combined Dry Powder Inhaler Comprising Nanosized Ketoprofen-Embedded Mannitol-Coated Microparticles for Pulmonary Inflammations: Development, In Vitro-In Silico Characterization, and Cell Line Evaluation

Pulmonary inflammations such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis are widespread and can be fatal, especially when they are characterized by abnormal mucus accumulation. Inhaled corticosteroids are commonly used for lung inflammations despite their considerable side effects. By utilizing particle engineering techniques, a combined dry powder inhaler (DPI) comprising nanosized ketoprofen-embedded mannitol-coated microparticles was developed. A nanoembedded microparticle system means a novel advance in pulmonary delivery by enhancing local pulmonary deposition while avoiding clearance mechanisms. Ketoprofen, a poorly water-soluble anti-inflammatory drug, was dispersed in the stabilizer solution and then homogenized by ultraturrax. Following this, a ketoprofen-containing nanosuspension was produced by wet-media milling. Furthermore, co-spray drying was conducted with L-leucine (dispersity enhancer) and mannitol (coating and mucuactive agent). Particle size, morphology, dissolution, permeation, viscosity, in vitro and in silico deposition, cytotoxicity, and anti-inflammatory effect were investigated. The particle size of the ketoprofen-containing nanosuspension was ~230 nm. SEM images of the spray-dried powder displayed wrinkled, coated, and nearly spherical particles with a final size of ~2 µm (nano-in-micro), which is optimal for pulmonary delivery. The mannitol-containing samples decreased the viscosity of 10% mucin solution. The results of the mass median aerodynamic diameter (2.4-4.5 µm), fine particle fraction (56-71%), permeation (five-fold enhancement), and dissolution (80% release in 5 min) confirmed that the system is ideal for local inhalation. All samples showed a significant anti-inflammatory effect and decreased IL-6 on the LPS-treated U937 cell line with low cytotoxicity. Hence, developing an innovative combined DPI comprising ketoprofen and mannitol by employing a nano-in-micro approach is a potential treatment for lung inflammations.