3.2.1 Lactoferrin (Lf) conjugated solid lipid nanoparticles

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