title: A novel approach for lung delivery of rifampicin-loaded liposomes in dry powder form for the treatment of tuberculosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lung administration of antibiotics by nebulization is promising for improved treatment efficiency for pulmonary infections, as it increases drug concentration at sites of infection while minimizing systemic side effects. For poorly soluble molecules like rifampicin, lipid particulate system may improve lung delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated rifampicin-loaded freeze-dried liposomes. Various formulations were prepared with different drug lipid ratios and one formulation was optimized. Optimized colloidal liposome formulation was freeze-dried and subsequently subjected for various evaluation and characterization parameters such as in-vitro dissolution, in-vitro antitubercular activity, aerodynamic characters, surface morphology, and thermal behavior. The optimized formulation of rifampicin-loaded freeze-dried liposome and free rifampicin was subjected for the in-vivo drug disposition study in Wister rat model by intra-tracheal instillation in comparison with an oral route of administration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of pharmacokinetic study for both free drug and the formulation suggested that liposomes released the drug in a controlled manner for a longer period of time. The enhanced efficiency of drug incorporated into liposomes suggested that the delivery of encapsulated drugs to macrophages was more rapid than that of free drug.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Therefore, the pharmacokinetic and drug disposition studies provided a sound basis for predicting the successful treatment for tuberculosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, VT's Shivajirao S. Jondhle College of Pharmacy, Asangoan, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Jagadevappa S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy, Banglore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: V Kusum
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Devi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy, Banglore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Kshama
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Devi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy, Banglore, Karnataka, India ; Department of Pharmaceutical Technology (Formulations), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sarasija
keywords: Freeze-dried liposomes; intra-tracheal instillation; nebulization; pulmonary delivery; rifampicin; tuberculosis