Fabrication and Characterization of Surface Engineered Rifampicin Loaded Lipid Nanoparticulate Systems for the Potential Treatment of Tuberculosis: An In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

The main aim of the present investigation highlights the development of mannose appended rifampicin containing solid lipid nanoparticles (Mn-RIF-SLNs) for the management of pulmonary TB. The developed Mn-RIF-SLNs showed particle size of Mn-RIF-SLNs (479 ± 13 nm) which was found to be greater than that of unconjugated SLNs (456 ± 11 nm), with marginal reduction in percentage entrapment efficiency (79.41 ± 2.42%). The in vitro dissolution studies depicted an initial burst release followed by sustained release profile indicating biphasic release pattern, close-fitting Weibull model having least F-value. The cytotoxicity studies using J774A.1 cell line represented that the developed SLNs were non-toxic and safe as compared to free drug. Fluorescence imaging and flow cytometric (FACS) analysis depicted significant (1.79-folds) intracellular uptake of coumarin-6 (fluorescent marker) loaded Mn-C6-SLNs. The in vivo pharmacokinetic studies in sprague-dawley rats were performed and Mn-RIF-SLNs showed remarkable enhancement in terms of relative bioavailability (~17-folds) as compared to its drug solution via oral administration. The biodistribution studies revealed higher lung accumulation (1.8-folds) of Mn-RIF-SLNs as compared to the Un-RIF-SLNs. In conclusion, the developed Mn-RIF-SLNs could serve as a promising tool for delivering the drug cargo to the site of infection (lungs) in the treatment of TB.