Abstract

PREPARATION AND DRYING OF ANDROGRAPHOLIDE NANOSUSPENSION FOR INHALABLE ADMINISTRATION

Yiding Gao, Dongqian Kong, Qiaofeng Hu and Liandong Hu*

ABSTRACT

Andrographolide (AG) has varying bioavailability due to its poor dissolution, and the clinical efficacy for acute upper respiratory tract infection(URTI) is suboptimal. In order to overcome this shortcoming, AG has been prepared as a nanosuspension by wet milling and delivered by inhalable administration. The parameters of milling time and stabilizers about AG nanosuspension were optimized. AG powders dried from nanosuspension were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, in vitro dissolution and aerodynamic performance. Results showed that the best stabilizer for
preparing AG nanosuspension was 3% Tween 80 (relative to the drug amount), with the milling time of 30 min. XRD results indicated that there were no obvious changes of crystal structure between pure AG and AG nanosuspension. Significantly higher dissolution rate from AG nanosuspension at 90 min was observed, compared with that of pure AG. The aerodynamic results indicated that the powders may be suitable for inhalation administration.

Keywords: Andrographolide; Nanosuspension; Wet Milling; Aerosol Performance; Inhalation Administration.