Respirable PLGA Microspheres Containing Rifampicin for the Treatment of Tuberculosis: Manufacture and Characterization

Purpose. Particles with aerodynamic diameters of 1–5m deposit in the periphery of the lungs and are phagocytized by alveolarmacrophages, the primary site of Mycobacterium tuberculosisinfection. Aerosols of biodegradable polymeric microspheres containingantitubercular agents may be delivered to the lungs to improve the treatmentof tuberculosis.Methods. Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspherescontaining rifampicin were prepared using solvent evaporation and spraydrying methods. The solvent evaporation process was optimized usingfactorial experimental design and surface response methodology. Themorphology, particle size, drug loading, and dissolution of microspheres wasevaluated.Results. The spray dried rifampicin loaded PLGAmicroparticles were shriveled, unlike the spherical particles produced bysolvent evaporation. Drug loadings of 20;pc and 30;pc were achieved forsolvent evaporation and spray dried products, respectively. The particlesprepared by solvent evaporation and spray drying had 3.45 m and 2.76m median diameters by volume, respectively.Conclusions. Respirable rifampicin loaded PLGAmicrospheres were produced by both solvent evaporation and spray dryingmethods. These particles are being evaluated in an animal model oftuberculosis.