Despite various efforts, a successful selective delivery system for chemotherapeutic agents for lung cancer is still lacking. Dry powder inhaler (DPI) systems based on proliposomes (PLMs) could be a potential system for the efficient delivery of paclitaxel to lungs. PLM-based DPI prepared with a freeze-drying method can therefore be an alternative. Paclitaxel-loaded PLM-based DPI (PTX-PLM-DPI) powders were prepared using the method of thin film deposition on a carrier followed by freeze drying. These were prepared using soya phosphatidylcholine (SPC) and cholesterol as the lipids and mannitol as the carrier. The reconstituted liposomes were evaluated in terms of size, morphology, drug entrapment, release and cytotoxicity. The DPI powders were evaluated for their flow property, surface topography, dose uniformity and in vitro lung deposition. Stable and free-flowing PTX-PLM-DPI powder was obtained that could be reconstituted into homogenous liposomal vesicles < 200 nm as confirmed by TEM and SEM studies. The liposomes showed drug entrapment of 92.64 ± 1.4% and diffusion-controlled release of up to 28% in 24 h. These liposomes showed better dose-dependent cytotoxicity in A549 cells in comparison to paclitaxel suspension with IC₅₀ values of 46 ± 0.87 ng/mL and 154.9 ± 3.64 ng/mL, respectively. In vitro lung deposition studies of the PTX-PLM-DPI showed sufficient deposition with the fine particle fraction (FPF) of 50.86 ± 2.8% of particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than 5 µ. Hence, it canbe concluded that PLM-based DPI prepared by freeze drying can be a promising, stable, safe and free-flowing system for the enhanced lung delivery of paclitaxel.

Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) are colloidal drug delivery systems composed of both solid and liquid lipids. They enhance drug loading capacity, regulate the release of poorly water-soluble drugs, and are suitable for targeted delivery. Resveratrol, a polyphenol with promising anticancer properties, faces challenges due to its low water solubility, poor bioavailability, and chemical instability, resulting in rapid metabolism and excretion. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a delivery system that safeguards resveratrol during its transit through the body. This study aimed to develop and characterize resveratrol-loaded NLCs using the nano-precipitation method followed by ultrasonication, incorporating Mesua ferrea seed oil as the liquid lipid. The NLCs were evaluated for particle size, morphology (TEM), zeta potential, drug entrapment efficiency, drug loading, and in vitro drug release. The resulting NLCs demonstrated stability and homogeneity, with a particle size of 181.6 ± 12.4 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.135 ± 0.09, drug entrapment efficiency of 82.76 ± 12.2%, and drug loading capacity of 42.94 ± 7.5%. They exhibited sustained drug release, achieving 84.56% release within 24 h. These findings suggest that the developed NLCs can effectively enhance the incorporation and controlled release of poorly water-soluble drugs like resveratrol, offering potential advantages over conventional delivery systems.