Hybrid lipopolysaccharide-based nanosystem for the delivery of anti-tuberculosis therapeutics
Date
2021
Authors
Sumaila, Mumuni
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Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is reported as one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally,
accounting for about 10 million new cases and 1.5 million deaths annually with the poorest and
socially excluded groups bearing the largest burden of the disease. The conventional treatment
approach for susceptible cases involves a daily oral dose of four first-line drugs, such as
rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol (RIPE), which are scheduled into an initial
intensive phase of two months with RIPE regimen and a continuous phase of four months with
rifampicin/isoniazid regimen. Currently, the treatment of tuberculosis still remains a global
challenge due to inconsistent drug bioavailability, dose-related side effects, systemic drug toxicity
and poor patient compliance, which could be attributed to poor delivery of conventional anti-TB
therapeutics. Therefore, the issue of drug resistance, non-targeted delivery, sub-optimal dosage
at disease sites and side effects on healthy cells have rendered conventional treatment approach
inefficient and ineffective in combating the disease even after combination chemotherapy. This
research aimed to address the shortfalls associated with oral delivery of anti-TB therapeutics by
employing nanotechnological approach to design a novel nano-enabled surface-functionalized
drug delivery system (DDS) that will specifically target the infection site of Mycobacterium
tuberculosis (Mtb) following oral administration. Alveolar macrophages, the reservoir for Mtb,
displays special surface receptors, such as mannosyl, galactosyl, and lectin, which can be
explored in the design of a smart and intelligent nanodelivery system to improve the preferential
accumulation of anti-TB drugs within the alveolar macrophages, thereby reducing systemic side effects and enhancing therapeutic activity. Based on this concept, we have designed, optimized
and characterized a smart ligand-functionalized nano-construct – referred to herein as a
‘mannosylated hybrid lipopolysaccharide-based (MHLP) nanosystem’ – with encapsulated
rifampicin and isoniazid for targeted and controlled delivery to Mtb infection site following oral
administration.
The physicochemical parameters that characterized the design of a smart nano-construct in TB
therapeutics including satisfactory size, shape and surface properties, good gastrointestinal
permeability, cellular uptake and internalization by RAW 264.7 macrophages, as well as low
cellular toxicity to healthy cells informed the fabrication of the MHLP nanosystem. In this study,
an optimized CT-SL nano-conjugate was developed and surface-functionalized with mannose as
targeting moiety. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Differential Scanning
Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Phenol-Sulphuric acid assay
confirmed the successful grafting and functionalization of the nano-conjugates while Dynamic
Light Scattering (DLS) analyses confirmed the synthesis of MHLP nanoparticles with an average
size less than 300 nm and surface charge of +20 to +30 mV. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
results confirmed the morphology of the MHLP nanosystem to be spherical with uneven surfaces
and a spongy appearance due to the attachments of the functionalized moiety. Optical scattering
analysis confirmed the stability profile of the nanosystem in suspension while the in vitro
dissolution study showed a sustained release of rifampicin and isoniazid at the simulated
physiological pH, indicating a positive influence of lipopolysaccharide architecture on drug release
kinetics. Additionally, ex vivo permeability studies demonstrated a 2-fold increase in
gastrointestinal rifampicin permeability within 8-hour study period in comparison with the free drug
solution. Interestingly, MHLP nanoparticle uptake and intracellular drug accumulation studies
showed an enhanced rifampicin/isoniazid delivery to RAW 264.7 macrophages when compared
with the unmodified nanosystem and the free drug solution. Cytotoxicity assay demonstrated a
good biocompatibility with greater than 80% cell viability achieved at nanoparticle concentrations
120 μg/mL during 24-hour treatment time.
Overall, detailed in vitro and ex vivo experimental results validated the fabricated MHLP
nanoparticulate systems as efficient cargo system for rifampicin and isoniazid delivery to alveolar
macrophages for enhanced anti-TB therapeutics. While rifampicin and isoniazid were selected as
the model drugs in this study due to their established anti-mycobacterial activities and limitations,
the novel MHLP nanosystem can also be employed to incorporate other anti-TB
chemotherapeutics for enhanced on-site delivery of the bioactives
Description
A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Pharmacy to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the
Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021