Budesonide/cyclodextrin complex-loaded lyophilized microparticles for intranasal application

Objective: Lyophilized microparticles composed of budesonide (BDS), hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD), and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) or sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-Na) were developed for intranasal delivery and their characteristics were evaluated.

Materials and methods: The particle size and morphology were assessed by mean diameter measurement and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image, respectively. The solid-state of products was tested by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In vitro drug release and cytotoxicity to the primary human nasal epithelial (HNE) cells were also evaluated.

Results and discussion: Lyophilized microparticles exhibited vanishment of crystallinity of drug in XRPD analysis, the enfeeblement of carbonyl (C=O) stretching bands of carboxyl group in BDS in FT-IR spectra and the disappearance of endothermic peak of drug in the results of DSC study. Based on the results of solid-state studies, BDS was existed as an amorphous form in the lyophilized microparticles. CD complexation enhanced drug solubility and release rate, and HPMC or CMC-Na also improved drug dissolution rates. Cytotoxicity of developed microparticles to the HNE cells was measured and their safety to HNE cell was identified.

Conclusion: Developed microparticles can efficiently deliver insoluble drug, such as BDS, to the nasal epithelium and thus it may improve therapeutic efficacy in the respiratory tract.