3. Solid lipid nanoparticles for lungs targeting

Targeted delivery of a drug to the lungs is gaining much more interest at the present time, for the treatment of lungs cancer, tuberculosis, and other airborne diseases where lungs are the primary site of action or site administration of drugs [11]. In order to get maximum therapeutic benefits from lungs delivery, a suitable DDS with appropriate physicochemical properties are necessary and SLN along with ligand conjugated SLN are the most fitted on this ground.

3.2 Ligand conjugated solid lipid nanoparticles for passive lungs targeting

Solid Lipid Based Nano-particulate Formulations in Drug Targeting

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88268

cell [19].

Figure 1.

99

Lungs targeted delivery of drugs is a challenging task due to the mucociliary clearance. In this regard, the ligand-anchored DDS not only proves its potential in achieving improved site-specific drug delivery, but also it reduces the chances of drug uptake by reticulo-endothelial system (RES). It is believed to play a major role in congenital defense and exhibit diversified biological activities such as antimicrobial, anticancer, immunomodulation, an exertion to control cell growth, binding, and inhibition of numerous biologically active compounds. However, clinical success of such approaches relies on the choice of appropriate ligand free from immunogenic potential with the potential to provoke cargo internalization by the target

The mechanism of receptor mediated endocytosis of ligand anchored SLNs and

In lung associated diseases, receptors of Lactoferrin (80-kDa iron-binding glycoprotein) is overexpressed in the lungs. Thus, Lf conjugated DDS may become a promising tool for targeted delivery of drugs to lungs in lung-associated diseases [20]. Rifampicin (RIF) loaded SLNs were successfully prepared and were coupled with Lf via carbodiimide chemistry i.e., coupling of the Lf carboxylic group with the stearylamine amine group present on the surface of the previously formed RIF loaded SLNs in the presence of N-ethyl-N-(dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC). An in vivo biodistribution study revealed 3.05 time higher drug uptakes by the lungs in case of Lf-RIF-SLNs as compared to unconjugated RIF-SLNs. It was further confirmed from fluorescence photomicrographs that clearly showed access of the Lf-coupled SLNs into the lung. Thus, lactoferrin is an efficient molecule that

Conjugation of bioadhesive ligand molecules with SLNs helps in improving drug absorption/bioavailability by increasing residence time in the GIT and reducing

drug release technique has been shown in Figure 1.

3.2.1 Lactoferrin (Lf) conjugated solid lipid nanoparticles

can be used for targeting active agents directly to the lungs [21].

3.2.2 Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) conjugated solid lipid nanoparticles

Mechanism of receptor mediated endocytosis of ligand anchored SLNs and drug release technique.
