Preparation and characterization of solid lipid nanoparticles loaded with epirubicin for pulmonary delivery

In this study, epirubicin (EPI)-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (EPI-SLNs) were successfully prepared as an inhalable formulation for treatment of lung cancer. The physicochemical properties and in vitro pulmonary deposition of EPI-SLNs was studied. Pharmacokinetics were studied in rats by inhalation administration of EPI-SLNs and EPI-solutions respectively, the concentrations of EPI in blood and lungs were determined. Cytotoxicity was determined in A549 alveolar epithelial cells and found to be not toxic in blank SLNs and higher cytotoxicity of EPI-SLNs was found compared with that of EPI solution. In vitro deposition study suggested that SLNs remained stable during nebulization with improved respirable fraction (RF) compared to EPI-solutions. In vivo pharmacokinetic study showed that the drug concentration achieved by inhalation of EPI-SLNs was much higher than the drug concentration in plasma. Furthermore the drug concentration in lungs after inhalation of EPI-SLNs was much higher than that after administration of epirubicin solution. These findings suggest that EPI-SLNs could be used as an inhalable delivery system for treatment of lung cancer.