Inhaled Atorvastatin Nanoparticles for Lung Cancer

Abstract

Objective: Lung cancer is one of the main causes of mortality globally. This research paper aims a the development of inhaled nanotechnology for lung cancer to deliver an atorvastatin calcium compound, for lung cancer, capable of reaching the tumor site directly via inhalation. Methods: Atorvastatin calcium micellar nanoparticles (ATO-NPs) encapsulated with Pluronic F-127 and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were manufactured utilizing the solvent and anti-solvent precipitation technique. The physicochemical features of the formulation were evaluated in terms of their physico-chemical characteristics using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorime-try, and dynamic light scattering. Additionally, the Andersen Cascade impactor was used at 15 L/minutes to assist in the aerosols performances of the formulation. The ATO-NPs formula's cell viabil-ity was tested in vitro using the A549 non-small cell lung cancer cell type. Results: Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to determine the ATO-NPs particle morpholo-gy, demonstrating a spherical shape with a smooth surface. The fine particle fraction of the aerosol produced was 62.70 ± 1.18%. This finding suggests that atorvastatin micellar nanoparticles are suitable for medication administration by inhalation with a wide particle size dispersion. Moreover, it was found in vitro that concentrations of up to 21 µg/mL of the atorvastatin nanoparticles were safe and non-toxic in the cell model. Conclusion: This study found that atorvastatin micellar nanoparticles for inhalation could potentially be used for lung cancer treatment. © 2022 Bentham Science Publishers.