NanoCipro encapsulation in monodisperse large porous PLGA microparticles

Pulmonary drug delivery of controlled release formulations may provide an effective adjunct approach to orally delivered antibiotics for clearing persistent lung infections. Dry powder formulations for this indication should possess characteristics including; effective deposition to infected lung compartments, persistence at the infection site, and steady release of antibiotic. Large porous particles ( approximately 10-15 microm) have demonstrated effective lung deposition and enhanced lung residence as a result of their large diameter and reduced clearance by macrophages in comparison to small microparticles ( approximately 1-5 microm). In this report, Precision Particle Fabrication technology was used to create monodisperse large porous particles of poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) utilizing oils as extractable porogens. After extraction, the resulting large porous PLGA particles exhibited a low density and a web-like or hollow interior depending on porogen concentration and type, respectively. Ciprofloxacin nanoparticles (nanoCipro) created by homogenization in dichloromethane, possessed a polymorph with a decreased melting temperature. Encapsulating nanoCipro in large porous PLGA particles resulted in a steady release of ciprofloxacin that was extended for larger particle diameters and for the solid particle morphology in comparison to large porous particles. The encapsulation efficiency of nanoCipro was quite low and factors impacting the entrapment of nanoparticles during particle formation were elucidated. A dry powder formulation with the potential to control particle deposition and sustain release to the lung was developed and insight to improve nanoparticle encapsulation is discussed.