Budesonide-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for pulmonary delivery: preparation, optimization, and aerodynamic...

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Lipid nanoparticles offer advantages for pulmonary drug delivery, including deep lung deposition, prolonged release, and low toxicity.
• Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are a promising platform for encapsulating therapeutic agents for inhalation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of formulation and processing variables on the particle size of budesonide-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (BUD-SLNs).
• To identify optimal conditions for fabricating small-sized BUD-SLNs suitable for pulmonary applications.
• To evaluate the in vitro aerosolization performance of optimized BUD-SLNs.

Main Methods:

• Budesonide-loaded SLNs were prepared using varying drug content, ultrasonication amplitude, and homogenization time.
• Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were employed to model the relationship between preparation parameters and particle size.
• In vitro aerosolization studies were conducted to compare BUD-SLNs with a commercial budesonide formulation.

Main Results:

• Optimal conditions for achieving small particle sizes (170-200 nm) involved low drug content, high ultrasonication amplitude, and extended homogenization time.
• The developed BUD-SLNs demonstrated enhanced aerosolization performance.
• A significant increase in the fine particle fraction was observed for BUD-SLNs compared to the commercial product.

Conclusions:

• Formulation and processing parameters critically influence the particle size of BUD-SLNs.
• Optimized BUD-SLNs exhibit superior aerosolization characteristics, suggesting improved lung deposition potential.
• This study highlights the potential of lipid nanoparticles for advanced respiratory drug delivery.