Spray-freeze-dried liposomal ciprofloxacin powder for inhaled aerosol drug delivery

• Published in: International journal of pharmaceutics 2005-11, Vol.305 (1), p.180-185
• Main Authors: Sweeney, Lyle G., Wang, Zhaolin, Loebenberg, Raimar, Wong, Jonathan P., Lange, Carlos F., Finlay, Warren H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Inhalation; Aerosol; Aerosols; Anti-Infective Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Infective Agents - chemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical - methods; Ciprofloxacin; Ciprofloxacin - administration & dosage; Ciprofloxacin - chemistry; Drug Delivery Systems; Freeze Drying; General pharmacology; Liposomes; Medical sciences; Nebulizers and Vaporizers; Particle Size; Pharmaceutical technology. Pharmaceutical industry; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Powder; Powders; Spray-freeze drying; Surface Properties
• ISSN: 0378-5173; 1873-3476
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2005.09.010

Spray-freeze drying was utilized to manufacture a liposomal powder formulation containing ciprofloxacin as a model active component. The powder forms liposomally encapsulated ciprofloxacin when wetted. Aerosol properties of this formulation were assessed using a new passive inhaler, in which the powder was entrained at a flow rate of 60 l/min. A mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of 2.8 μm was achieved for this formulation. Using the experimental dispersion testing data, ciprofloxacin concentration in the airway surface liquid (ASL) was calculated using a Lagrangian deposition model. The reconstitution of the powder in various aqueous media gave drug encapsulation efficiencies as follows: 50% in water, 93.5% in isotonic saline, 80% in bovine mucin, 75% in porcine mucus and 73% in five-fold-diluted ex vivo human cystic fibrosis patient sputum.