Abstract
The aim of the present work was to study the cytotoxicity of meloxicam potassium (MP) containing dry powder inhalation systems (DPIs) in monolayers of A549 lung epithelial cells, in order to acquire information on its suitability for pulmonary drug delivery. We also characterized the effect of the used excipients (such as aerosolization enhancer additives and polymers) on the cytotoxicity of the formulated DPIs. We reported for the first time the cytotoxicity of MP in comparison with meloxicam (M) and the results showed that no difference in the safety can be determined at 0.01 and 0.1 mg/mL concentrations. The protective effect of L-leucine was observed in some formulations, while the use of poly-vinyl-alcohol (PVA) decreases this advantage. Comparing the two polymers it can be established that the poly-vinyl-pirrolidon (PVP) is less toxic than the PVA in the same concentrations.