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Saha T, Sinha S, Harfoot R, Quiñones-Mateu ME, Das SC. Inhalable dry powder containing remdesivir and disulfiram: Preparation and in vitro characterization. Int J Pharm 2023; 645:123411. [PMID: 37703955 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
The respiratory tract, as the first and most afflicted target of many viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, seems to be the logical choice for delivering antiviral agents against this and other respiratory viruses. A combination of remdesivir and disulfiram, targeting two different steps in the viral replication cycle, has showed synergistic activity against SARS-CoV-2 in-vitro. In this study, we have developed an inhalable dry powder containing a combination of remdesivir and disulfiram utilizing the spray-drying technique, with the final goal of delivering this drug combination to the respiratory tract. The prepared dry powders were spherical, and crystalline. The particle size was between 1 and 5 μm indicating their suitability for inhalation. The spray-dried combinational dry powder containing remdesivir and disulfiram (RDSD) showed a higher emitted dose (ED) of >88% than single dry powder of remdesivir (RSD) (∼72%) and disulfiram (DSD) (∼84%), with a fine particle fraction (FPF) of ∼55%. Addition of L-leucine to RDSD showed >60% FPF with a similar ED. The in vitro aerosolization was not significantly affected after the stability study conducted at different humidity conditions. Interestingly, the single (RSD and DSD) and combined (RDSD) spray-dried powders showed limited cellular toxicity (CC50 values from 39.4 to >100 µM), while maintaining their anti-SARS-CoV-2 in vitro (EC50 values from 4.43 to 6.63 µM). In a summary, a combinational dry powder formulation containing remdesivir and disulfiram suitable for inhalation was developed by spray-drying technique which showed high cell viability in the respiratory cell line (Calu-3 cells) retaining their anti-SARS-CoV-2 property. In the future, in vivo studies will test the ability of these formulations to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 which is essential for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tushar Saha
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Shubhra Sinha
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Rhodri Harfoot
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Miguel E Quiñones-Mateu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Shyamal C Das
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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Saha T, Sinha S, Harfoot R, Quiñones-Mateu ME, Das SC. Spray-Dried Inhalable Microparticles Combining Remdesivir and Ebselen against SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2229. [PMID: 37765198 PMCID: PMC10535576 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15092229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a continuous effort to develop efficient treatments for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other viral respiratory diseases. Among the different strategies, inhaled treatment is considered one of the most logical and efficient approaches to treating COVID-19, as the causative "SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA" predominantly infects the respiratory tract. COVID-19 treatments initially relied on repurposed drugs, with a few additional strategies developed during the last two years, and all of them are based on monotherapy. However, drug combinations have been found to be more effective than monotherapy in other viral diseases such as HIV, influenza, and hepatitis C virus. In the case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, in vitro studies have shown synergistic antiviral activity combining remdesivir with ebselen, an organoselenium compound. Therefore, these drug combinations could ensure better therapeutic outcomes than the individual agents. In this study, we developed a dry powder formulation containing remdesivir and ebselen using a spray-drying technique and used L-leucine as an aerosolization enhancer. The prepared dry powders were spherical and crystalline, with a mean particle size between 1 and 3 µm, indicating their suitability for inhalation. The emitted dose (ED) and fine particle fraction (FPF) of remdesivir- and ebselen-containing dry powders were ~80% and ~57% when prepared without L-leucine. The ED as well as the FPF significantly increased with values of >86% and >67%, respectively, when L-leucine was incorporated. More importantly, the single and combinational dry powder of remdesivir and ebselen showed minimal cytotoxicity (CC50 > 100 μM) in Calu-3 cells, retaining their anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties (EC50 2.77 to 18.64 μM). In summary, we developed an inhalable dry powder combination of remdesivir and ebselen using a spray-drying technique. The spray-dried inhalable microparticles retained their limited cytotoxicity and specific antiviral properties. Future in vivo studies are needed to verify the potential use of these remdesivir/ebselen combinational spray-dried inhalable microparticles to block the SARS-CoV-2 replication in the respiratory tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tushar Saha
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand;
| | - Shubhra Sinha
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; (S.S.); (R.H.); (M.E.Q.-M.)
| | - Rhodri Harfoot
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; (S.S.); (R.H.); (M.E.Q.-M.)
| | - Miguel E. Quiñones-Mateu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; (S.S.); (R.H.); (M.E.Q.-M.)
| | - Shyamal C. Das
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand;
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Adhikari BR, Das SC. Amorphicity and Aerosolization of Soluplus-Based Inhalable Spray Dried Powders. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14122618. [PMID: 36559112 PMCID: PMC9787865 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Soluplus is a polymer that has been explored to prepare nanocomposites for pulmonary drug delivery and is non-toxic. However, its aerosolization attributes when spray-dried have not been investigated. Hence, this work aimed to investigate the aerosol performance of soluplus-based spray-dried powders. In addition, the potential use of leucine to improve the aerosolization of such particles was also investigated by including leucine at 10 or 20% w/w. 4% w/w salbutamol was used as a model drug in all the formulations primarily to aid quantification during aerosolization evaluation and for assessing the interaction between the drug and soluplus using infrared spectroscopy with the multivariate analysis approach of principal component analysis (PCA). Three formulations (4% salbutamol/96% soluplus, 4% salbutamol/86% soluplus/10% leucine, 4% salbutamol/76% soluplus/20% leucine) were prepared. The formulations were characterized in terms of solid-state, water content, particle size/morphology, and aerosolization. Similarly, two additional formulations (14% salbutamol/86% soluplus and 24% salbutamol/76% soluplus) were prepared to assess potential non-covalent interactions between salbutamol and soluplus. The formulations with only salbutamol and soluplus were amorphous, as evident from X-ray diffraction. Leucine was crystalline in the formulations. All the spray-dried formulations were irregular spheres with surface corrugation. The 96% soluplus powder showed an emitted fraction (EF) and fine particles fraction (FPF) of 91.9 and 49.8%, respectively. The inclusion of leucine at 10% did not increase the EF; however, an increase in FPF (69.7%) was achieved with 20% leucine. PCA of the infrared spectra suggested potential non-covalent interactions between salbutamol and soluplus. It hinted at the potential involvement of ketone groups of the excipient. This study concludes that soluplus-based spray-dried powder with or without leucine can potentially be utilized for pulmonary drug delivery. In addition, PCA can effectively be utilized in assessing interactions and overcoming limitations associated with visual assessment of the spectra of such formulations.
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Raj Adhikari B, Sinha S, Lyons N, Pletzer D, Lamont I, Gordon KC, Das SC. Inhalable ceftazidime-roflumilast powder targeting infection and inflammation: Influence of incorporating roflumilast into ceftazidime-leucine co-amorphous formulation. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2022; 180:260-268. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2022.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Adhikari BR, Gordon KC, Das SC. Solid state of inhalable high dose powders. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 189:114468. [PMID: 35917868 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
High dose inhaled powders have received increased attention for treating lung infections. These powders can be prepared using techniques such as spray drying, spray-freeze drying, crystallization, and milling. The selected preparation technique is known to influence the solid state of the powders, which in turn can potentially modulate aerosolization and aerosolization stability. This review focuses on how and to what extent the change in solid state of high dose powders can influence aerosolization. It also discusses the commonly used solid state characterization techniques and the application of potential strategies to improve the physical and chemical stability of the amorphous powders for high dose delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Keith C Gordon
- The Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies, Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Shyamal C Das
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
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Manipulation of Spray-Drying Conditions to Develop an Inhalable Ivermectin Dry Powder. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14071432. [PMID: 35890327 PMCID: PMC9325229 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14071432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, predominantly affects the respiratory tract. As a consequence, it seems intuitive to develop antiviral agents capable of targeting the virus right on its main anatomical site of replication. Ivermectin, a U.S. FDA-approved anti-parasitic drug, was originally shown to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro, albeit at relatively high concentrations, which is difficult to achieve in the lung. In this study, we tested the spray-drying conditions to develop an inhalable dry powder formulation that could ensure sufficient antiviral drug concentrations, which are difficult to achieve in the lungs based on the oral dosage used in clinical trials. Here, by using ivermectin as a proof-of-concept, we evaluated spray-drying conditions that could lead to the development of antivirals in an inhalable dry powder formulation, which could then be used to ensure sufficient drug concentrations in the lung. Thus, we used ivermectin in proof-of-principle experiments to evaluate our system, including physical characterization and in vitro aerosolization of prepared dry powder. The ivermectin dry powder was prepared with a mini spray-dryer (Buchi B-290), using a 23 factorial design and manipulating spray-drying conditions such as feed concentration (0.2% w/v and 0.8% w/v), inlet temperature (80 °C and 100 °C) and presence/absence of L-leucine (0% and 10%). The prepared dry powder was in the size range of 1−5 μm and amorphous in nature with wrinkle morphology. We observed a higher fine particle fraction (82.5 ± 1.4%) in high feed concentration (0.8% w/v), high inlet temperature (100 °C) and the presence of L-leucine (10% w/w). The stability study conducted for 28 days confirmed that the spray-dried powder was stable at 25 ± 2 °C/<15% RH and 25 ± 2 °C/ 53% RH. Interestingly, the ivermectin dry powder formulation inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro with a potency similar to ivermectin solution (EC50 values of 15.8 µM and 14.1 µM, respectively), with a comparable cell toxicity profile in Calu-3 cells. In summary, we were able to manipulate the spray-drying conditions to develop an effective ivermectin inhalable dry powder. Ongoing studies based on this system will allow the development of novel formulations based on single or combinations of drugs that could be used to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in the respiratory tract.
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Raj Adhikari B, Bērziņš K, Fraser-Miller SJ, Cavallaro A, Gordon KC, Das SC. Optimization of Methionine in Inhalable High-dose Spray-dried Amorphous Composite Particles using Response Surface Method, Infrared and Low frequency Raman Spectroscopy. Int J Pharm 2022; 614:121446. [PMID: 34998923 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.121446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The influence of amino acids, other than leucine, in improving aerosolization of inhalable powders has not been widely explored. This detailed study focused on the use of methionine, another promising endogenous amino acid, in high dose spray-dried co-amorphous powders by investigating the influence of methionine proportion (0 - 20% w/w), and feed concentration (0.2 - 0.8% w/v) on aerosolization of kanamycin, a model drug, using a design of experiment approach. Low frequency Raman spectroscopy was used to assess the stability of the powders stored at 25 °C/53% relative humidity over 28 days. An increase in concentration of methionine was associated with an increase in fine particle fraction (FPF), with the highest FPF of 84% being achieved at 20% w/w and 0.2% w/v feed concentration. With an increase in feed concentration, both yield and particle size increased for all formulations; the FPF did not change except for kanamycin only formulation in which it decreased. During storage at high humidity, similar aerosolization stabilities were offered by different proportions of methionine although methionine crystallized out in all formulations. Furthermore, the crystallization was accompanied by surface enrichment of methionine on the particles. This study suggests that there is a direct relationship between methionine content and aerosolization for kanamycin-methionine amorphous matrices but feed concentration has little effect. In addition, methionine proportion has no effect on physical stability of such matrices at high humidity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kārlis Bērziņš
- The Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies, Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Sara J Fraser-Miller
- The Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies, Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Alex Cavallaro
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA, Australia
| | - Keith C Gordon
- The Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies, Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Shyamal C Das
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
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