Formulating Spray-Dried Albumin-Modified Lipid Nanoparticles Encapsulating Acyclovir for Enhanced Pulmonary Drug...

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Pharmaceutics
• Virology

Background:

• Viral pneumonia presents a significant global health challenge requiring novel treatments.
• Acyclovir, an antiviral, has limitations including poor solubility and bioavailability.
• Developing advanced drug delivery systems is crucial for improving antiviral therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance acyclovir efficacy via respiratory delivery using albumin-modified lipid nanoparticles (ALN-Acy).
• To formulate ALN-Acy as an inhalable spray for treating viral pneumonia.
• To evaluate the physicochemical properties, safety, and therapeutic potential of ALN-Acy.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized nanoparticles using the reverse evaporation method.
• Characterized nanoparticles for size, zeta potential, morphology, encapsulation, and drug loading.
• Assessed cytotoxicity, in vitro anti-inflammatory effects, and in vivo therapeutic efficacy in animal models.

Main Results:

• Spherical nanoparticles (97.48 nm) with high encapsulation (93.26%) and sustained release were produced.
• ALN-Acy demonstrated low cytotoxicity and efficient intracellular acyclovir delivery.
• In vivo studies showed reduced mortality, inflammation (IL-6, TNF-α), and lung injury in mice.

Conclusions:

• Albumin-modified lipid nanoparticles effectively deliver acyclovir for viral pneumonia.
• ALN-Acy prolongs survival and mitigates lung injury and inflammation.
• This delivery system offers a promising therapeutic strategy for inflammatory diseases.