Effects of pulmonary surfactant system on rifampicin release from rifampicin-loaded PLGA microspheres

PLGA-Based Strategies for Intranasal and Pulmonary Applications

Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) has emerged as a cornerstone in the development of advanced drug delivery systems, particularly for intranasal and pulmonary routes. Its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and adaptability make it an ideal platform for addressing challenges associated with conventional therapies. By enabling sustained and controlled drug release, PLGA formulations reduce dosing frequency, improve patient compliance, and enhance therapeutic efficacy. These systems demonstrate versatility, accommodating hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, biological molecules, and co-delivery of synergistic agents. Moreover, surface modifications and advanced preparation techniques enhance targeting, bioavailability, and stability, expanding PLGA's applications to treat complex diseases such as tuberculosis, cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, and CNS disorders. This manuscript provides an in-depth review of PLGA's materials, properties, preparation methods, and therapeutic applications, alongside a critical evaluation of challenges and future opportunities in this field.

Uniformity and Efficacy of Dry Powders Delivered to the Lungs of a Mycobacterial-Surrogate Rat Model of Tuberculosis

PURPOSE

Pulmonary administration of dry drug powder is a considered promising strategy in the treatment of various lung diseases such as tuberculosis and is more effective than systemic medication. However, in the pre-clinical study phase, there is a lack of devices for effective delivery of dry powders to the lungs of small rodents. In this study, an administration device which utilizes Venturi effect to deliver dry powders to the lungs homogeneously was developed.

METHODS

A Venturi-effect administration device which synchronizes with breathes by use of a ventilator and aerosolizes the dry powders was created. Pulmonary distribution of inhalable dry powders prepared by spray-drying poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid and an antituberculosis agent rifampicin and anti-tuberculosis effect of the powders on mycobacteria infected rats by administration with the Venturi-effect administration device and a conventional insufflation device were evaluated.

RESULTS

Homogeneous distribution of the dry powders in the lung was achieved by the Venturi-effect administration device due to efficient and recurring aerosolization of loaded dry powders while synchronizing with breathes. Amount of rifampicin delivered to the lungs by the Venturi-effect administration device was three times higher than that by a conventional insufflation device, demonstrating three times greater antimycobacterial activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The Venturi-effect administration device aerosolized inhalable antituberculosis dry powders efficiently, achieved uniform pulmonary distribution, and aided the dry powders to exert antituberculosis activity on lung-residing mycobacteria.

Glucosamine/L-lactide copolymers as potential carriers for the development of a sustained rifampicin release system using Mycobacterium smegmatis as a tuberculosis model

The present study aims at developing a new, ultrafine particle-based efficient antibiotic delivery system for the treatment of tuberculosis. The carrier material to make the rifampicin (RIF)-loaded particles is a low molecular weight star-shaped polymer produced from glucosamine (core building unit) and L-lactide (GluN-LLA). Particles were made via electrohydrodynamic atomization. Prolonged release (for up to 14 days) of RIF from these particles is reported. Drug release data fits the Korsmeyer-Peppas equation, which suggests the occurrence of a modified diffusion-controlled RIF release mechanism in vitro and is also supported by differential scanning calorimetry and drug leaching tests. Cytotoxicity tests on Mycobacterium smegmatis showed that antibiotic-free GluN-LLA and polylactides (PLA) particles (reference materials) did not show any significant anti-bacterial activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values obtained for RIF-loaded particles showed 2- to 4-fold improvements in the anti-bacterial activity relative to the free drug. Cytotoxicity tests on macrophages indicated that cell death correlates with an increase of particle concentration but is not significantly affected by material type or particle size. Confocal microscopy was used to track internalization and localization of particles in the macrophages. The uptake of GluN-LLA particles is higher than those of their PLA counterparts. In addition, after phagocytosis, the GluN-LLA particles stayed in the cytoplasm and showed favorable long-term drug release behavior, which facilitated the killing of intracellular bacteria when compared to free RIF. The present studies suggest that these drug carrier materials are potentially very attractive candidates for the development of high-payload, sustained-release antibiotic/resorbable polymer particle systems for treating bacterial lung infections.

Exploring inhalable polymeric dry powders for anti-tuberculosis drug delivery

The growing interest on polymeric delivery systems for pulmonary administration of drugs anticipates a more direct and efficient treatment of diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) that uses the pulmonary route as the natural route of infection. Polymeric microparticles or nano-in-microparticles offer target delivery of drugs to the lungs and the potential to control and sustain drug release within TB infected macrophages improving the efficiency of the anti-TB treatment and reducing side effects. In a dry powder form these inhalable delivery systems have increased stability and prolonged storage time without requiring refrigeration, besides being cost-effective and patient convenient. Thus, this review aims to compile the recent innovations of inhalable polymeric dry powder systems for the delivery of anti-TB drugs exploring the methods of production, aerodynamic characterization and the efficacy of targeted drug delivery systems using in vitro and in vivo models of the disease. Advanced knowledge and promising outcomes of these systems are anticipated to simplify and revolutionize the pulmonary drug delivery and to contribute towards more effective anti-TB treatments.

Hydrophobic boron compound-loaded poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles for boron neutron capture therapy

Poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) has been widely used and studied because of its biocompatibility and biodegradability. Recently, the usefulness of nanoparticles using poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLLGA) having a higher glass transition temperature than PLGA was suggested. In this study, we investigated the availability of boron compound-loaded PLGA and PLLGA nanoparticles for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) by conducting biodistribution study using tumor-bearing mice. o-Carborane, a hydrophobic boron compound, was used as a boron carrier, and o-carborane-albumin conjugate was used as a control. We prepared PLGA and PLLGA nanoparticles with diameters of 100nm and 150nm. In 100-nm PLLGA nanoparticles, the boron concentration in the tumor reached 113.9±15.8μg/g of tissue at 8h after administration. This result indicated that 100-nm PLLGA nanoparticles were able to achieve an intratumoral ¹⁰B concentration of 20μg/g without replacing the ¹¹B with ¹⁰B. In addition, by nanoparticulation using PLGA7510 and PLLGA7510, intratumoral boron concentration was 1.7-3.2 and 3.5-4.2 times higher than that of the o-carborane-albumin conjugate, respectively. The tumor/blood ratios of boron concentration reached over 5 at 8-12h after injection. Boron atoms in nanoparticles were excreted mainly in the urine, and characteristic accumulation was not observed in other organs. These results suggested that 100-nm PLLGA nanoparticles were particularly useful for BNCT.

A novel and simple preparative method for uniform-sized PLGA microspheres: Preliminary application in antitubercular drug delivery

Particle size has been demonstrated as a key parameter influencing the phagocytosis of drug-loaded PLGA microspheres (MS) by the target cells. However, the current preparative methods were either insufficient in controlling the homogeneity of the produced MS, or requires sophisticated and costly equipment. This study aimed to explore a simple and economical method for uniform PLGA MS preparation. Based on the heterogeneous emulsification of routine mechanical stirring, we designed an adjuvant strategy to enhance the homogeneity of MS. By using glass beads as adjutant, the dispersion produced during mechanical stirring was much more homogeneous in the solution. The particles produced were much smaller and the size distribution was much narrower as compared with those produced using the routine mechanical stirring method under the same condition. After enrichment by selective centrifugation, about 60% of the particles of similar size were obtained, providing further evidence for the efficiency of the novel method in controlling particle homogeneity. Further, the method was applied to prepare rifampicin-loaded PLGA MS of the optimized size for macrophage uptake. The functional evaluation showed that the prepared PLGA MS could efficiently deliver an antitubercular drug into macrophages and maintain a higher intracellular concentration by controlled release, suggesting the potential application of the method in PLGA MS-based drug delivery. Collectively, the study provided a simple and economical method for preparing uniform-sized PLGA MS with potential of widespread applications.

Nano- and micro-based inhaled drug delivery systems for targeting alveolar macrophages

INTRODUCTION

Macrophages are the most versatile cells in the hematopoietic system and are strategically distributed in tissues to fight pathogens or other foreign particles. In the lung, however, for intracellular infections such as tuberculosis, pneumonia and aspergillosis, bacteria and fungi utilize the alveolar macrophage as a breeding ground. This has become a challenge for the treatment of these infections, as most drugs do not effectively reach the macrophages at therapeutic levels. Alveolar macrophages also play an important role to initiative adaptive immunity toward combating inflammation and cancer in the lung.

AREAS COVERED

This review focuses on the development of micro- and nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems to target alveolar macrophages in association with intracellular infections, cancer and lung inflammation. Aspects of nanoparticle and micron-sized particle engineering through exploitation of particles' physicochemical characteristics such as particle size, surface charge and geometry of particles are discussed. In addition, the application of nanocarriers such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles and dendrimers are covered with respect to macrophage targeting.

EXPERT OPINION

Drug delivery targeted to alveolar macrophages in the lung is becoming a reality thanks to micro- and nanotechnology breakthrough. The literature review shows that regulation of physicochemical parameters of particles could be a recipe to enhance macrophage targeting and uptake. However, there is still a need to identify more target-specific receptors in order to facilitate drug targeting. Besides that, the toxicity of nanocarriers arising from prolonged residence in the lung should be taken into consideration during formulation.

Assessment of lactoferrin-conjugated solid lipid nanoparticles for efficient targeting to the lung

The aim of the present study was to develop a target oriented drug delivery system for the lungs. Lactoferrin (Lf)-coupled solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) bearing rifampicin was prepared by a solvent injection method. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized for shape, particle size, polydispersity and percentage drug entrapment. An optimized formulation was then studied for its in vivo performance in animals and to determine its targeting efficiency. It was observed that, upon coupling with Lf, the size of SLNs increased while the percent entrapment efficiency decreases. In in vitro release, determined by a dialysis technique, analysis showed that uncoupled SLNs exhibited higher drug release as compared to coupled SLNs. An in vivo biodistribution study shows 47.7 ±0.4 drug uptakes by the lungs, which was 3.05 times higher in comparison to uncoupled SLNs. These biodistribution studies are further supported by the fluorescence study that revealed enhanced uptake of Lf-coupled SLNs in the lung. From the presented results, it can be concluded that Lf-coupled SLNs enhanced drug uptake in the lung. Moreover, lactoferrin is an efficient molecule that can be used for targeting active agents directly to the lung.

Composite alginate hydrogel microparticulate delivery system of zidovudine hydrochloride based on counter ion induced aggregation

Aim:

The present study deals with preparation of zidovudine loaded microparticle by counter ion induced aggregation method. During this study effect of polyacrylates and hypromellose polymers on release study were investigated.

Materials and Methods:

The ion induced aggregated alginate based microparticles were characterized for surface morphology, particle size analysis, drug entrapment study, in-vitro study, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) study.

Results and Discussion:

The result showed Eudragit RL-100 (ERL) based formulations had smoother surface as well as their mean particle sizes were found greater compared with Eudragit RS-100 (ERS) microparticles. Furthermore, drug entrapments were found to be more in ERL formulae as compared with ERS. RL3 released 101.05% drug over a period of 8^th h and followed Higuchi profile and Fickian diffusion. Moreover, data obtained illustrated that, higher amount of quaternary ammonium group, alkali value, and glass transition temperature may be possible reason for improving permeability of ERL based formulations. It was also noticed, hyroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) K4M premium grade polymer sustained drug release more than HPMC K15M. In addition, drug-excipient interaction study was carried out by FTIR and DSC study.

Estimation of crystallinity of trehalose dihydrate microspheres by usage of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy

Crystalline state of pharmaceutical materials is of great importance in the preparation of pharmaceutics because their physicochemical properties affect bioavailability, quality of products, therapeutic level, and manufacturing process. In this study, we have estimated the crystallinity of trehalose dihydrate microspheres by measuring terahertz (THz) spectroscopy. The commercially available trehalose dihydrate takes in general a crystalline state, but trehalose dihydrate microspheres prepared by using spray-drying method are in an amorphous state. We have prepared amorphous anhydrous trehalose by using melt-quenched method from crystalline trehalose dihydrate. We have measured the absorbance of trehalose dihydrate containing amorphous anhydrous trehalose (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) using THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) to prepare calibration curves. Using the calibration curves, we have estimated the crystallinity of trehalose dihydrate microspheres prepared by using spray-drying method. Our results suggest that THz-TDS is well suited to distinguish crystallinity differences in pharmaceutical compounds.

Soft particle analysis of electrokinetics of biological cells and their model systems

In this article, we review the applications of a novel theory (Ohshima 2009 Sci. Technol. Adv. Mater.10 063001) to the analysis of electrokinetic data for various soft particles, that is, particles covered with an ion-permeable surface layer of polyelectrolytes. Soft particles discussed in this review include various biological cells and hydrogel-coated particles as a model of biological cells. Cellular transformations increase the concentration of sialic acid of glycoproteins and are associated with blocked biosynthesis of glycolipids and aberrant expression of the developmentally programmed biosynthetic pathway. The change in shape or biological function of cells may affect their surface properties and can be detected by electrokinetic measurements. The experimental results were analyzed with Ohshima's electrokinetic formula for soft particles and soft surfaces. As a model system, hydrogel surfaces that mimic biological surfaces were also prepared and their surface properties were studied.

Preparation and evaluation of gelatin/sodium carboxymethyl cellulose polyelectrolyte complex microparticles for controlled delivery of isoniazid

The ratio of gelatin to sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC) at which maximum yield was obtained was optimized. This optimized ratio of gelatin to SCMC along with other parameters was used to prepare microparticles of different sizes. Vegetable oil was used as emulsion medium. Effect of various factors like amount of surfactant, concentration of polymer on the formation, and size of the microparticles was investigated. These microparticles were used as carrier for isoniazid. Among different cross-linkers, glutaraldehyde was found to be the most effective cross-linker at the temperature and pH at which the reaction was carried out. The loading efficiency and release behavior of loaded microparticles were found to be dependent on the amount of cross-linker used, concentration of drug, and time of immersion. Maximum drug loading efficiency was observed at higher immersion time. The release rate of isoniazid was more at higher pH compared to that of at lower pH. The sizes of the microparticles were investigated by scanning electron microscope. In all the cases, the microparticles formed were found spherical in shape except to those at low stirring speed where they were agglomerated. Fourier transform infrared study indicated the successful incorporation of isoniazid into the microparticles. Differential scanning calorimetry study showed a molecular level dispersion of isoniazid in the microparticles. X-ray diffraction study revealed the development of some crystallinity due to the encapsulation of isoniazid.

Evaluation of antitubercular drug-loaded surfactants as inhalable drug-delivery systems for pulmonary tuberculosis

Pulmonary tuberculosis is associated with a year-long chemotherapy, poor alveolar drug levels, drug-related systemic toxicity, and patient noncompliance. In this study, exogenous pulmonary surfactant is proposed as a drug carrier for antitubercular drugs. Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), the major lung-surfactant lipid, has been combined with antitubercular drugs isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RFM), and ethambutol (ETH) in 1:1 ratio by weight, in which drugs had a ratio of 1:2:3 by weight. At 37 degrees C, the formulation had better surfactant function with quicker reduction of surface tension on adsorption (32.71 +/- 0.65 mN/m) than DPPC liposomes (44.67 +/- 0.57 mN/m) and maintained 100% airway patency in a capillary surfactometer. Drug-loaded surfactant liposomes were about 2 microm and had entrapment efficiency of 30.04% +/- 2.05%, 18.85% +/- 2.92%, and 61.47% +/- 3.32% for INH, RFM, and ETH, respectively. Sustained release of the drugs from surfactants was observed over 24 h. In vitro alveolar deposition efficiency using the twin impinger showed 12.06% +/- 1.87% of INH, 43.30% +/- 0.87% of RFM, and 22.07% +/- 2.02% of ETH deposited in the alveolar chamber upon nebulization for a minute using a jet nebulizer. The formulation was biocompatible and stable with physicochemical properties being retained even after storage for a month at 4 degrees C. Antitubercular drug-loaded surfactants developed could serve dual purposes of alveolar stabilization due to surfactant action and better reach of these drugs to the alveoli due to antiatelectatic effect of the surfactant.

Preparation and properties of inhalable nanocomposite particles for treatment of lung cancer

Nanoparticles have widely been studied in drug delivery research for targeting and controlled release. The aim of this article is application of nanoparticles as an inhalable agent for treatment of lung cancer. To deposit effectively deep the particles in the lungs, the PLGA nanoparticles loaded with the anticancer drug 6-{[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amino}-3-hydroxyl-7H-indeno[2,1-c]quinolin-7-one dihydrochloride (TAS-103) were prepared in the form of nanocomposite particles. The nanocomposite particles consist of the complex of drug-loaded nanoparticles and excipients. In this study, the anticancer effects of the nanocomposite particles against the lung cancer cell line A549. Also, the concentration of TAS-103 in blood and lungs were determined after administration of the nanocomposite particles by inhalation to rats. TAS-103-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared with 5% and 10% of loading ratio by spray drying method with trehalose as an excipient. The 5% drug-loaded nanocomposite particles were more suitable for inhalable agent because of the sustained release of TAS-103 and higher FPF value. Cytotoxicity of nanocomposite particles against A549 cells was higher than that of free drug. When the nanocomposite particles were administered in rats by inhalation, drug concentration in lung was much higher than that in plasma. Furthermore, drug concentration in lungs administered by inhalation of nanocomposite particles was much higher than that after intravenous administration of free drug. From these results, the nanocomposite particle systems could be promising for treatment of lung cancer.

Microencapsulation of antibiotic rifampicin in poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)

The aim of this study was the preparation of microparticles containing rifampicin using a biodegradable polymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) for oral administration produced by a bacteria. The poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) microparticles with and without rifampicin were prepared by the emulsification and solvent evaporation method, in which chloroform and polyvinyl alcohol are used as the solvent and emulsifier, respectively. Microparticles were obtained within a size range of 20-60 microm by changing the initial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), polyvinyl alcohol and rifampicin concentrations. An encapsulation efficiency value of 14% was obtained. The optimized total yield of 60% of the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)/ rifampicin was obtained. A load of 0.035 mg/1 mg of PHBV was reached. Almost 90% of the drug loaded in the microparticles was released after 24 h. The size, encapsulation efficiency and ribampicin release of the microparticles varied as a function of the initial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), polyvinyl alcohol and rifampicin concentrations. It was demonstrated that the microencapsulated rifampicin, although was not totally available in the medium, exhibited a similar inhibition value as free rifampicin at 24 h of incubation with S. aureus. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated a reduction of the toxicity when rifampicin was microencapsulated in poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) while maintaining its antibacterial activity.

Disease guided optimization of the respiratory delivery of microparticulate formulations

BACKGROUND

Inhalation of microparticulate dosage forms can be effectively used in the treatment of respiratory and systemic diseases.

OBJECTIVE

Disease states investigated for treatment by inhalation of microparticles were reviewed along with the drugs' pharmacological, pharmacokinetic and physical chemical properties to identify the advantages of microparticulate inhalation formulations and to identify areas for further improvement.

METHODS

Microbial infections of the lung, asthma, diabetes, lung transplantation and lung cancer were examined, with a focus on those systems intended to provide a sustained release.

CONCLUSION

In developing microparticulate formulations for inhalation in the lung, there is a need to understand the pharmacology of the drug as the key to revealing the optimal concentration time profile, the disease state, and the pharmacokinetic properties of the pure drug as determined by IV administration and inhalation. Finally, in vitro release studies will allow better identification of the best dosing strategy to be used in efficacy and safety studies.

Preparation and properties of inhalable nanocomposite particles: Effects of the temperature at a spray-dryer inlet upon the properties of particles

To overcome the disadvantages both of microparticles and nanoparticles for inhalation, we have prepared nanocomposite particles as drug carriers targeting lungs. The nanocomposite particles having sizes about 2.5 microm composed of sugar and drug-loaded PLGA nanoparticles can reach deep in the lungs, and they are decomposed into drug-loaded PLGA nanoparticles in the alveoli. Sugar was used as a binder of PLGA nanoparticles to be nanocomposite particles and is soluble in alveolar lining fluid. The primary nanoparticles containing bioactive materials were prepared by using a probe sonicator. And then they were spray dried with carrier materials, such as trehalose and lactose. The effects of inlet temperature of spray dryer were studied between 60 and 120 degrees C and the kind of sugars upon properties of nanocomposite particles. When the inlet temperatures were 80 and 90 degrees C, nanocomposite particles with average diameters of about 2.5 microm are obtained and they are decomposed into primary nanoparticles in water, in both sugars are used as a binder. But, those prepared above 100 degrees C are not decomposed into nanoparticles in water, while the average diameter was almost 2.5 microm. On the other hand, nanocomposite particles prepared at lower inlet temperatures have larger sizes but better redispersion efficiency in water. By the measurements of aerodynamic diameters of the nanocomposite particles prepared with trehalose at 70, 80, and 90 degrees C, it was shown that the particles prepared at 80 degrees C have the highest fine particle fraction (FPF) value and the particles are suitable for pulmonary delivery of bioactive materials deep in the lungs. Meanwhile the case with lactose, the particles prepared at 90 degrees C have near the best FPF value but they have many particles larger than 11 microm.

Preparation and properties of inhalable nanocomposite particles: effects of the size, weight ratio of the primary nanoparticles in nanocomposite particles and temperature at a spray-dryer inlet upon properties of nanocomposite particles

Nanoparticles are expected to be applicable to inhalation as carrier but there exist disadvantages because of their size. Their deposition dose to the lung will be small. To overcome this problem and utilize nanoparticles for inhalation, we have prepared nanocomposite particles as drug carriers targeting lungs. The nanocomposite particles are prepared as drug-loaded nanoparticles-additive complex to reach deep in the lungs and to be decomposed into nanoparticles when they deposit into lung. In this study, we examined the effect of preparation condition--inlet temperature, size of primary nanoparticles and weight ratio of primary nanoparticles--on the property of nanocomposite particles. When the size of primary nanoparticles was 400 nm and inlet temperature was 90 degrees C, only the nanocomposite particles containing between 45 and 55% of primary nanoparticles could be decomposed into nanoparticles in water. On the other hand, when the inlet temperature was 80 degrees C, nanocomposite particles were decomposed into nanoparticles independent of the weight ratio of primary nanoparticles. Also, the aerodynamic diameter of the nanocomposite particles was between 1.5 and 2.5 microm, independent of the weight ratio of primary nanoparticles. When the size of primary nanoparticles was 200 nm and inlet temperature was 70 degrees C, nanocomposite particles were decomposed into nanoparticles independent of the weight ratio of primary nanoparticles. Also, the aerodynamic diameters of them were almost 2.0 microm independent of the weight ratio of primary nanoparticles. When the nanocomposite particles containing nanoparticles with the size of 200 nm are prepared at 80 degrees C, no decomposition into nanoparticles was observed in water. Fine particle values, FPF, of the nanocomposite particles were not affected by the weight ratio of primary nanoparticles when they were prepared at optimum inlet temperature.

Fabrication, in vitro degradation and the release behaviours of poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) nanospheres containing ascorbic acid

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is essential for preserving optimal health and is used by the body for many purposes. The problem is that ascorbic acid easily decomposes into biologically inactive compounds making its use very limited in the field of pharmaceuticals, dermatological and cosmetics. By encapsulating the ascorbic acid into a polymer matrix it is assumed that its chemical instability can be overcome as well as higher, more efficient and equally distributed concentration throughout extended period of time can be achieved. This paper is describing the process of obtaining poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) (DLPLG) nanospheres (110-170 nm) using chemical method with solvent/non-solvent systems where obtained solutions have been centrifuged. The encapsulation of the ascorbic acid in the polymer matrix is performed by homogenisation of water and organic phases. Nanoparticles of the copolymer DLPLG with the different contents of the ascorbic acid have different morphological characteristics, i.e. variable degree of uniformity, agglomeration, sizes and spherical shaping. The degradation of the nanospheres of DLPLG, DLPLG/ascorbic acid nanoparticles and release rate of the ascorbic acid were studied for 8 weeks in a physiological solution (0.9% sodium chloride in water). The samples have been characterised by infrared spectroscopy (IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), stereological analysis and ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy.

Effects of lung surfactants on rifampicin release rate from monodisperse rifampicin-loaded PLGA microspheres

We have prepared inhalable and monodisperse poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres targeting tubercle bacilli residing in alveolar macrophages. The effects of pulmonary surfactant on the rifampicin (RFP) release rate from RFP-loaded poly (lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres were studied. Also, those of their surface properties of RFP-loaded PLGA microspheres were studied. The RFP release from RFP/PLGA microspheres was accelerated by adsorption of pulmonary surfactant on the particle surface. The fastest RFP release rate was observed from pulmonary surfactant-adsorbed PLGA particles in pH 7.4 buffer solution compared with those in pH 4.0 buffer solution and saline solution. The slowest release rate was observed in the case when saline solution was used as dispersion phase of RFP/PLGA microspheres, although RFP release rate increased by the addition of pulmonary surfactant. From these results it is suggested that when RFP/PLGA microspheres are administrated by inhalation, the RFP release rates from the particles which are not taken up by alveolar macrophages and remain in the alveoli will be small. On the other hand, the RFP release rates and release amounts will be high after RFP/PLGA microspheres are taken up by alveolar macrophages existing in phagosomes, but they become relatively small after RFP/PLGA microspheres move into phagosome-lysosomes by the fusion of phagosomes with lysosomes. The absolute values of the electrophoretic mobility of PLGA microspheres increased by the adsorption of pulmonary surfactants on the surfaces of PLGA microspheres. By analyzing the experimental data using the soft-particle theory, it was indicated that the microspheres became 'softer' and the surface charge density of microspheres increases by the degradation. On the other hand, the surface of PLGA microspheres became harder and the electric charge density increased by the adsorption of pulmonary surfactant on the surfaces of PLGA microspheres. The changes in the surface charge density with degradation became larger by the adsorption of the lung surfactant on PLGA microsphere surfaces. It is considered that the changes in surface properties of PLGA microspheres affect their uptake efficiency by alveolar macrophage.

Protein release behavior from porous microparticle with lysozyme/hyaluronate ionic complex

Porous microparticles (PMs) with a low density (<0.4 g/cm3) for pulmonary protein delivery were prepared by the water-in-oil-in-water (W1/O/W2) multi-emulsion method using a cyclodextrin derivative as a porogen. The complexation of positively charged lysozyme (Lys) and negative-charged hyaluronate (HA) was investigated for long-term protein release from PMs. The interaction of Lys and HA not only increased protein encapsulation efficiency but also stabilized Lys against a denaturing organic solvent (dichloromethane). Furthermore, PMs with Lys/HA complexes increased the Lys release period up to 7 days, as opposed to a 4h Lys release time from PMs without Lys/HA complexes. In particular, PMs containing 10mg of HA and 50mg of Lys showed almost zero-order Lys release kinetic for 7 days and preserved the bioactivity of Lys more than 98% during its entire release period. This result suggests that PMs with Lys/HA complexes may be applied in long-term pulmonary administration of protein or peptide drugs, including those that require particles to arrive at a deep lung epithelium with the help of low density (high porosity) of PMs.

Long acting porous microparticle for pulmonary protein delivery

This study investigated the porous-microparticle (PM) with low mass density and large size for pulmonary drug delivery. PM was prepared by the water-in-oil-in-water (W(1)/O/W(2)) multi-emulsion method with cyclodextrin derivative as a porogen and a stabilizer of peptide drugs. Herein, sucrose ethyl acetate (SAIB) was incorporated in PM for long acting protein release. In vitro release studies, the rapid release rate of proteins from PM was reduced due to the high viscosity of the added SAIB. As a result, BSA release from PM continued up to 7 days. This result suggests that PM having sustained release characteristics may be successfully applied for long-term pulmonary administration of protein or peptide drug. In addition, it is expected that these particles arrive at a deep lung epithelium due to low density (high porosity) and limit macrophage recognition because of big particle size (more than 5 microm).