Development of nano alpha-ketoglutarate nebulization formulation and its pharmacokinetic and safety evaluation in healthy human volunteers for cyanide poisoning

Development of nano alpha-ketoglutarate (A-KG) nebulization formulation for neutralization of inhaled cyanide ion toxicity. Objectives of the present study were to (a) develop a novel A-KG nebulization formulation against cyanide poisoning, particularly hydrogen cyanide gas (b) validate its respiratory fraction in vitro and in vivo, and (c) create its pharmacokinetic data in human volunteers. The formulation was optimized on the basis of particle size of aerosolized droplets after nebulization in 6 volunteers. Gamma scintigraphy was used to quantify total and regional lung deposition of nebulized A-KG after radiolabeling it with Technetium-99m. The formulation was optimized using 30% ethanol–saline with particle size in the range of 300–500 nm. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that drug nebulization resulted in a significant respirable fraction of 65 ± 0.6% with whole lung deposition of 13 ± 1%. Human pharmacokinetic data was derived in 6 healthy human volunteers with peak serum concentration (Cmax) of 39 ± 3 μg/ml, while the area under curve (AUC) after inhalation was 376 ± 23 μg × h/ml indicating that the drug was rapidly and completely absorbed when targeted directly to lungs. Significant lung deposition of A-KG was achieved with the developed formulation. The formulation appears to have several advantages, including the potential of neutralizing inhaled CN− ions in the lungs themselves. It is a safe and efficacious procedure, suitable for hospital or ambulance use in accidental cyanide poisoning cases, or as a preventive approach for fire-rescue teams.