title: Towards a rational design of solid drug nanoparticles with optimised pharmacological properties.
abstract: Solid drug nanoparticles (SDNs) are a nanotechnology with favourable characteristics to enhance drug delivery and improve the treatment of several diseases, showing benefit for improved oral bioavailability and injectable long-acting medicines. The physicochemical properties and composition of nanoformulations can influence the absorption, distribution, and elimination of nanoparticles; consequently, the development of nanoparticles for drug delivery should consider the potential role of nanoparticle characteristics in the definition of pharmacokinetics. The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacological behaviour of efavirenz SDNs and the identification of optimal nanoparticle properties and composition. Seventy-seven efavirenz SDNs were included in the analysis. Cellular accumulation was evaluated in HepG2 (hepatic) and Caco-2 (intestinal), CEM (lymphocyte), THP1 (monocyte), and A-THP1 (macrophage) cell lines. Apparent intestinal permeability (Papp) was measured using a monolayer of Caco-2 cells. The Pappvalues were used to evaluate the potential benefit on pharmacokinetics using a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model. The generated SDNs had an enhanced intestinal permeability and accumulation in different cell lines compared to the traditional formulation of efavirenz. Nanoparticle size and excipient choice influenced efavirenz apparent permeability and cellular accumulation, and this appeared to be cell line dependent. These findings represent a valuable platform for the design of SDNs, giving an empirical background for the selection of optimal nanoparticle characteristics and composition. Understanding how nanoparticle components and physicochemical properties influence pharmacological patterns will enable the rational design of SDNs with desirable pharmacokinetics.
authors: Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine University of Liverpool Liverpool L693GF UK.
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Siccardi
authors: Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine University of Liverpool Liverpool L693GF UK.
authors: Phillip
authors: P
authors: Martin
authors: Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine University of Liverpool Liverpool L693GF UK.
authors: Darren
authors: D
authors: Smith
authors: Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine University of Liverpool Liverpool L693GF UK.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Curley
authors: Department of Chemistry, Crown Street University of Liverpool Liverpool L69 3BX UK.
authors: Tom
authors: T
authors: McDonald
authors: Department of Chemistry, Crown Street University of Liverpool Liverpool L69 3BX UK.
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Giardiello
authors: Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine University of Liverpool Liverpool L693GF UK.
authors: Neill
authors: N
authors: Liptrott
authors: Department of Chemistry, Crown Street University of Liverpool Liverpool L69 3BX UK.
authors: Steve
authors: S
authors: Rannard
authors: Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine University of Liverpool Liverpool L693GF UK.
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Owen
keywords: Absorption; Caco‐2 cells; PBPK; cellular accumulation; excipients; intestinal permeability; nanoparticles; nanotechnology; pharmacokinetics; rational design; solid drug nanoparticle