Combination of nebulization and spray drying as a new way to produce a dry powder inhaler of sodium cromoglycat

Abstract

Treatment of asthma has evolved rapidly these years from the use of corticosteroids to antihistamins. Cromolyn sodium is an antihistamin that has an important role in the treatment of asthma. However to increase local effects and to decrease systemic side effects, inhaled formulation of Cromolyn sodium formulated. Dry powder inhalation is a potent alternative route for drug administration, especially for the treatment of lung and systemic diseases.

Aim The present study was designed to prepare cromolyn sodium dry powder inhaled formulation by coupling the nebulizer and spray dry.

Methods Particle engineering for pulmonary drug delivery can be done by changing spray drying conditions. Size and size distribution, morphology and crystallinity of particles were evaluated by laser light scattering, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods, respectively. The aerosolization efficiency and aerodynamic properties of dry powders were determined by next generation impactor (NGI).

Results Using water in the preparation of microparticles and also increasing the concentration of the soloution, produced efficient and optimized microparicles with the best morphology, FPF, MMAD. The crystallinity of all formulations reduced by this method.Adding ammonium bicarbonate made particles more porous and increased FPF.

Discussion SEM images showed microparticles in the suitable range, shape and Surface characteristics for pulmonary drug delivery. Aerosolization evaluation of spray dried formulations with different concentrations and change of solvent type indicated that for the highest concentration of cromolyn sodium, the fine particle fraction (FPF), mass median aerodynamical diameter (MMAD) and also suitable morphology, have higher values in our proposed method.