1. Hyaluronic Acid—Dexamethasone Nanoparticles for Local Adjunct Therapy of Lung Inflammation
- Author
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Laura Bertocchi, Elena Del Favero, Candelaria Ines Camara, Annalisa Bianchera, Ruggero Bettini, Laura Cantù, Caterina Ricci, and Rosaria Bassi
- Subjects
Drug ,QH301-705.5 ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Nanoparticle ,light scattering ,Catalysis ,Dexamethasone ,Article ,Inorganic Chemistry ,nanoparticle characterization ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,nanocrystals ,Hyaluronic acid ,Administration, Inhalation ,medicine ,Humans ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,Hyaluronic Acid ,Biology (General) ,Molecular Biology ,QD1-999 ,Spectroscopy ,Aerosolization ,media_common ,Aerosols ,Organic Chemistry ,General Medicine ,Pneumonia ,X-ray scattering ,Computer Science Applications ,Chemistry ,Biopharmaceutical ,chemistry ,lung administration ,Drug delivery ,drug delivery ,Systemic administration ,Nanoparticles ,mucus interaction ,Biomedical engineering ,medicine.drug - Abstract
The delivery of a dexamethasone formulation directly into the lung appears as an appropriate strategy to strengthen the systemic administration, reducing the dosage in the treatment of lung severe inflammations. For this purpose, a hyaluronic acid-dexamethasone formulation was developed, affording an inhalable reconstituted nanosuspension suitable to be aerosolized. The physico-chemical and biopharmaceutical properties of the formulation were tested: size, stability, loading of the spray-dried dry powder, reconstitution capability upon redispersion in aqueous media. Detailed structural insights on nanoparticles after reconstitution were obtained by light and X-ray scattering techniques. (1) The size of the nanoparticles, around 200 nm, is in the proper range for a possible engulfment by macrophages. (2) Their structure is of the core-shell type, hosting dexamethasone nanocrystals inside and carrying hyaluronic acid chains on the surface. This specific structure allows for nanosuspension stability and provides nanoparticles with muco-inert properties. (3) The nanosuspension can be efficiently aerosolized, allowing for a high drug fraction potentially reaching the deep lung. Thus, this formulation represents a promising tool for the lung administration via nebulization directly in the pipe of ventilators, to be used as such or as adjunct therapy for severe lung inflammation.
- Published
- 2021