LAUSR

Abstract This study was conducted regarding the potentials of the carrier-mediated pulmonary delivery in treatment of the Tuberculosis (TB). Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) Nanoparticles (NPs) containing streptomycin sulfate (STP) were prepared by High-Pressure Homogenization (HPH). Pulmonary dry powders including free STP, STP-loaded BSA microparticles and microparticles embedding STP-loaded nanoparticles (MENs) were prepared by spray drying and, were characterized in vitro and in vivo. The size of NPs was around 200 nm. All the spray-dried powders' MMADs were in the range of 3.3–3.8 μm and, showed promising aerodynamic behavior. FT-IR test and thermal characterization (DSC) showed no interaction among the components and good dispersion of STP within the matrices, respectively. Based on the MTT assay and Trans-Epithelial Electrical Resistance (TEER) study, the dry powders were found to be noncytotoxic with no negative effect on the integrity of the alveolar epithelial cell layer. Within 4 h, a complete in vitro release was observed in all of the formulations. Pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies in rats showed lower non-target organs’ bioavailability of the pulmonary dry powders compared to the intramuscular injection. The results of the study suggested that, the dry powder inhalers encapsulating STP were promising delivery systems for future management of TB.