Abstract
A passive lung targeted system for controlled lung delivery of ketotifen (KT) was developed based on the green complexation of dextran sulphate (DS) and KT. Achieving deep lung deposition of high drug fraction, while evading lung defense mechanisms were set as goals. Optimized uniform negatively charged nanocomplexes (NC), <80 nm, were obtained at KT/DS weight ratio of 1:0.66 to 1:0.5 and 1% surfactant concentration with 90% drug complexation efficiency. The interaction between KT and DS and matrix formation were evidenced by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies. A respirable particle percent reaching 67.41 +/- 2.6% was obtained following co-spray drying NC containing poloxamer with leucine. A higher lung/plasma partitioning was obtained following pulmonary administration of selected nanocomplexes in microparticles (NCEMP) to rats compared to oral and intravenous (iv) routes. A new core shell nanocomplex formed of DS and KT as main substrates exhibited a potential for lung targeting of the anti-asthmatic drug. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.