Wahid Khan1, Neeraj Kumar. 1. Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER), Punjab, India.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Leishmania parasite is an obligate intracellular parasite of the mammalian host and lives inside resident macrophages of liver and spleen. A high dose of paromomycin (PM) is required for the treatment. PURPOSE: Preparation and in vitro evaluation of PM loaded albumin microspheres (MS) (of size ≤ 5 µm) to target macrophages for treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. METHODS: PM loaded MS were prepared by spray-drying method using albumin as a polymer matrix and stabilized using heat treatment. These MS were evaluated for product yield, encapsulation efficiency, particle size, size distribution, contact angle, drug-polymer interactions, and for in vitro drug release. Fluorescent labeling and in vitro uptake of these MS was assessed in RAW 264.7 cell line. RESULTS: PM loaded albumin MS were prepared with a mean particle size ≈3 µm. Free albumin content and contact angle study confirmed the stabilization of these MS. Release studies showed biphasic release pattern. Interaction studies ruled out any possibility of drug-polymer interaction. Uptake study in macrophage confirmed the suitability of prepared MS for macrophage targeting. CONCLUSION: The proposed drug-delivery system was found suitable for targeting macrophages in vitro and may serve as an optimum carrier to target macrophages where Leishmania parasite resides.
BACKGROUND:Leishmania parasite is an obligate intracellular parasite of the mammalian host and lives inside resident macrophages of liver and spleen. A high dose of paromomycin (PM) is required for the treatment. PURPOSE: Preparation and in vitro evaluation of PM loaded albumin microspheres (MS) (of size ≤ 5 µm) to target macrophages for treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. METHODS:PM loaded MS were prepared by spray-drying method using albumin as a polymer matrix and stabilized using heat treatment. These MS were evaluated for product yield, encapsulation efficiency, particle size, size distribution, contact angle, drug-polymer interactions, and for in vitro drug release. Fluorescent labeling and in vitro uptake of these MS was assessed in RAW 264.7 cell line. RESULTS:PM loaded albumin MS were prepared with a mean particle size ≈3 µm. Free albumin content and contact angle study confirmed the stabilization of these MS. Release studies showed biphasic release pattern. Interaction studies ruled out any possibility of drug-polymer interaction. Uptake study in macrophage confirmed the suitability of prepared MS for macrophage targeting. CONCLUSION: The proposed drug-delivery system was found suitable for targeting macrophages in vitro and may serve as an optimum carrier to target macrophages where Leishmania parasite resides.