In vitro release and in vivo study of quercetin-loaded alginate-kappa carrageenan pulmospheres

Some antituberculosis drugs were reported to have adverse effects. The study investigates the use of quercetin pulmospheres as an alternative to traditional antituberculosis drugs. Formulated with alginate and kappa carrageenan as F1, F2, and F3 (1:1, 1:2, and 1:3), the pulmospheres were observed for the release and deposition in rat lungs. Results show a sustained release of 50.47% ±0.43%-58.37% ±0.57% in 10 h above minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and provided Higuchi kinetics model. Pulmospheres delivered quercetin to the lungs and showed a deposition with high concentrations. The slowest rate was occurred in pulmospheres with polymer ratio of 1:2. Formula F2 showed the most optimal results with the lowest rhodamine B concentration of 11.934 ± 2.751-12.364 ± 0.070 µg/g and 6.987 ± 1.931-8.685 ± 2.672 µg/g for left and right lung, respectively, which produced same MIC compare to F1 and F3. The study suggests further evaluation of effective doses for antituberculosis.