Formulation and role of polymeric and inorganic nanoparticles in respiratory diseases

The use of nanoparticles for drug delivery in the lungs has reignited interest owing to the large surface area of the lung, high rate of absorption, both local and systemic treatments, and circumvention of the first-pass effect. Nanoparticle-mediated pulmonary delivery is advantageous due to its suitability for both dispersed liquid droplet dosage forms such as metered dose inhalers and nebulizers and dry powder inhalers. Besides, nanoparticles provide enhanced dissolution and intracellular drug delivery. Although the pulmonary delivery of nanoparticles sounds straightforward, in reality, it is quite challenging owing to the physical and chemical barriers that the particles have to overcome to discharge the payload. Therefore the formulation of nanoparticles is one of the critical steps toward producing functional nanoparticles for pulmonary delivery. To formulate nanoparticles for pulmonary delivery, inorganic and polymeric nanoparticles have taken center stage due to their biodegradability, biodistribution, drug-carrying capacity, and mucoinert nature. This chapter covers the formulation based on types of nanoparticles, the role of nanoparticles during and after pulmonary delivery, and their toxicological imprint.