Development of powdered Levofloxacin loaded NLC by advanced processing techniques

• Grant number: 23/08201-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 31, 2024
• End date: August 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy
• Principal Investigator: Laura de Oliveira Nascimento
• Grantee: Samira Elisa Alves Geraldo
• Supervisor: Hugh David Charles Smyth
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Texas at Austin (UT), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/05047-4 - Evaluation of the influence of surfactants from lipid nanoparticles on their physicochemical, antimicrobial and cellular interaction, BP.IC

Abstract

The pulmonary drug delivery can benefit local therapy for lung diseases by promoting high concentration of the drug in the site of action and rapid effect onset. Concerning treatment of bacterial infections, Levofloxacin (fluoroquinolone) stands out as a broad-spectrum agent and effective for invasions of the respiratory tract; it has also pulmonary delivery approved by European Union and Canada. However, pulmonary delivery has challenges: endogenous defense mechanisms, large surface area contributing to systemic distribution of drugs and particle size effects. Studies with nanoparticles of levofloxacin for drug delivery present satisfactory results, and a promising option for delivery is the Nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC). This colloidal drug delivery system may increase mucus penetration, offer prolonged drug release and targeting. The NLC were previously developed in the project FAPESP nº 2018/03666-3 had high encapsulation efficiency and good physicochemical parameters, but susceptible to oxidation of levofloxacin in suspension form. Powdered dosage forms are preferred in pharmaceutical formulation development due to good stability, lower volume, convenience in administration and avoidance of the cold chain. Therefore, the following project proposes the development of powdered NLC Levofloxacin by advanced processing techniques (Thin film freezing and spray freeze drying) evaluating particle parameters (Zeta potencial, PDI size and morphology), powder characteristics and drug parameters (Levofloxacin quantification and encapsulation efficiency).