Microparticles prepared with 50-190Â kDa chitosan as promising non-toxic carriers for pulmonary delivery of isoniazid

Chitosan biocompatibility and mucoadhesiveness make it an ideal polymer for antituberculotic drugs microcapsulation for pulmonary delivery. Yet, previous study indicated toxicity problems to J-774.1-cells treated with some medium molecular weight (190-310 kDa) chitosan microparticles. As polymer molecular weight is a crucial factor to be considered, this paper describes the preparation and characterization of chitosan (50-190 kDa) microparticles containing isoniazid (INH). Cytotoxicity assays were also performed on murine peritoneal (J-774.1) and alveolar (AMJ2-C11) macrophages cell lines, followed by cytokines detection from AMJ2-C11 cells. Spray-drying process produced mucoadhesive microparticles from 3.2 μm to 3.9 μm, entrapping more than 89% of the drug and preserving their chemical stability. Drug release behavior could be controlled by the use of cross-linked or uncross-linked chitosan, the latter leading to a rapid drug release. Mucoadhesive potential of the microparticles was characterized following in vitro and ex vivo assays. Finally, a significant reduction on toxicity against peritoneal macrophages and no toxic effect on alveolar macrophages with use of such microparticles were observed. In conclusion, 50-190 kDa chitosan microparticles may act as promising non-cytotoxic carriers for pulmonary delivery of INH showing marked alveoli macrophage activation.