Intranasal administration of budesonide-loaded nanocapsule microagglomerates as an innovative strategy for asthma treatment

Preparation of Budesonide-Loaded Liposomal Nanoparticles for Pulmonary Delivery and Their Therapeutic Effect in OVA-Induced Asthma in Mice

Purpose

Inhaled corticosteroids, including budesonide (BUD), are widely employed for the treatment of asthma. However, the frequent use of corticosteroids is associated with numerous adverse effects and poses challenges to ongoing drug therapy and patient adherence. Budesonide liposomal nanoparticles (BUD-LNPs) were developed to improve the bioavailability of the drug and thereby improve the effectiveness of asthma treatment.

Methods

BUD-LNPs were prepared via thin-film hydration, and the characterizations, stability, and in vitro release of BUD-LNPs were studied. In vitro cellular uptake was observed by laser-scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) and flow cytometry. And the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of BUD-LNPs was evaluated by measuring the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in activated macrophages. Besides, the accumulation time in the lung of drugs delivered via liposomal carriers and free drugs was compared in vivo. And the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of BUD-LNPs was assessed in OVA-induced asthmatic mice. Finally, in vivo biosafety assessment was performed.

Results

The particle size, PDI, and zeta potential of BUD-LNPs were 127.63±1.33 nm, 0.27±0.02, and 3.33±0.13 mV, respectively. BUD-LNPs exhibited excellent biosafety and anti-inflammatory activity in vitro. Furthermore, compared with the free drugs, the utilization of liposomal nano-vehicles for drugs delivery could effectively extend the duration of drugs accumulation in the pulmonary system. Additionally, treatment with BUD-LNPs alleviated airway hyperresponsiveness, reduced airway mucus secretion, and mitigated pulmonary inflammation in OVA-induced asthmatic mice. And the BUD-LNPs demonstrated superior therapeutic efficacy compared to free BUD.

Conclusion

BUD-LNPs was successfully prepared with excellent stability and sustained release for 24 h in vitro. The data of anti-inflammatory activity, asthma therapeutic effects and safety studies indicated that drug delivery mediated by liposomal nano-vehicles was a feasible and desirable strategy for medical strategy and showed great promise in the clinical therapy of asthma.

Antagonizing cholecystokinin A receptor in the lung attenuates obesity-induced airway hyperresponsiveness

Obesity increases asthma prevalence and severity. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood, and consequently, therapeutic options for asthma patients with obesity remain limited. Here we report that cholecystokinin-a metabolic hormone best known for its role in signaling satiation and fat metabolism-is increased in the lungs of obese mice and that pharmacological blockade of cholecystokinin A receptor signaling reduces obesity-associated airway hyperresponsiveness. Activation of cholecystokinin A receptor by the hormone induces contraction of airway smooth muscle cells. In vivo, cholecystokinin level is elevated in the lungs of both genetically and diet-induced obese mice. Importantly, intranasal administration of cholecystokinin A receptor antagonists (proglumide and devazepide) suppresses the airway hyperresponsiveness in the obese mice. Together, our results reveal an unexpected role for cholecystokinin in the lung and support the repurposing of cholecystokinin A receptor antagonists as a potential therapy for asthma patients with obesity.

Interactions Between Immunomodulatory Biomaterials and Immune Microenvironment: Cues for Immunomodulation Strategies in Tissue Repair

The foreign body response (FBR) caused by biomaterials can essentially be understood as the interaction between the immune microenvironment and biomaterials, which has severely impeded the application of biomaterials in tissue repair. This concrete interaction occurs via cells and bioactive substances, such as proteins and nucleic acids. These cellular and molecular interactions provide important cues for determining which element to incorporate into immunomodulatory biomaterials (IMBs), and IMBs can thus be endowed with the ability to modulate the FBR and repair damaged tissue. In terms of cellular, IMBs are modified to modulate functions of immune cells, such as macrophages and mast cells. In terms of bioactive substances, proteins and nucleic acids are delivered to influence the immune microenvironment. Meanwhile, IMBs are designed with high affinity for spatial targets and the ability to self-adapt over time, which allows for more efficient and intelligent tissue repair. Hence, IMB may achieve the perfect functional integration in the host, representing a breakthrough in tissue repair and regeneration medicine.

Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery System: The Magic Bullet for the Treatment of Chronic Pulmonary Diseases

Chronic pulmonary diseases encompass different persistent and lethal diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), cystic fibrosis (CF), asthma, and lung cancers that affect millions of people globally. Traditional pharmacotherapeutic treatment approaches (i.e., bronchodilators, corticosteroids, chemotherapeutics, peptide-based agents, etc.) are not satisfactory to cure or impede diseases. With the advent of nanotechnology, drug delivery to an intended site is still difficult, but the nanoparticle's physicochemical properties can accomplish targeted therapeutic delivery. Based on their surface, size, density, and physical-chemical properties, nanoparticles have demonstrated enhanced pharmacokinetics of actives, achieving the spotlight in the drug delivery research field. In this review, the authors have highlighted different nanoparticle-based therapeutic delivery approaches to treat chronic pulmonary diseases along with the preparation techniques. The authors have remarked the nanosuspension delivery via nebulization and dry powder carrier is further effective in the lung delivery system since the particles released from these systems are innumerable to composite nanoparticles. The authors have also outlined the inhaled particle's toxicity, patented nanoparticle-based pulmonary formulations, and commercial pulmonary drug delivery devices (PDD) in other sections. Recently advanced formulations employing nanoparticles as therapeutic carriers for the efficient treatment of chronic pulmonary diseases are also canvassed.

Development of bozepinib-loaded nanocapsules for nose-to-brain delivery: preclinical evaluation in glioblastoma

Aim: To develop and characterize bozepinib-loaded lipid-core nanocapsules (BZP-LNC⁺) as a potential treatment for glioblastoma (GBM). Methods: Characterization of nanocapsules was performed by diameter, polydispersity index, Zeta potential, pH and encapsulation efficiency. GBM cell viability, cell cycle and Annexin/PI were evaluated after BZP-LNC⁺ treatment. Synergism between BZP-LNC⁺ and temozolomide (TMZ) was performed by CompuSyn software and confirmed in vitro and in vivo. Results: BZP-LNC⁺ showed adequate particle sizes, positive Zeta potential, narrow size distribution and high encapsulation efficiency. BZP-LNC⁺ reduces GBM growth by inducing apoptosis. BZP-LNC⁺ and TMZ showed synergistic effect in vitro and reduced the in vivo glioma growth by approximately 81%. Conclusion: The present study provides proof-of-principle insights for the combination of these drugs for GBM treatment.