V3I11P10

Nasopulmonary Drug Delivery Systems: A Review of Formulation Strategies, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Applications

Ashif Iqbal ahmed¹, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Naik^2*

Abstract

The nasopulmonary drug delivery approach entails the administration of therapeutic agents through the nose or inhalation into the lungs. Such a mode of delivery provides a rapid effect, an efficient access to respiratory organs, minimal body exposure when delivering locally acting drugs, and a non-invasive method of medication administration to patients requiring certain selected medications. The efficiency of delivery depends on various physiological parameters including mucociliary clearance, epithelial permeability, aerosols properties, formulation composition, device specifications, and patient compliance. Nasal formulations are represented by drops, spray, powder, gel, and mucoadhesive formulations while inhalers usually represent pressurized metered-dose inhalers, dry-powder inhalers, nebulization solution and suspension, and innovative carrier systems. Clinical studies are being conducted with the involvement of liposomal, polymeric nanoparticle and nanoemulsion, in-situ gel formulations. This review highlights the area of interest and physiology of the nasopulmonary route, main strengths and weaknesses, deposition and absorption mechanisms, formulation and manufacturing technology, applications, advanced delivery systems, quality assessment and future directions. This area involves many challenges for the researchers since success depends on finding appropriate correlation between drug, formulation, device, and patient.

Keywords:

Nasopulmonary delivery; nasal drug delivery; pulmonary drug delivery; inhalation; dry-powder inhaler; nebuliser; liposomes; nanoparticles; aerosol deposition; formulation evaluation.