Poly(sebacic anhydride) microparticles loaded with curcumin for pulmonary purposes

Microparticles (MPs) made of fast biodegrading biomaterials, loaded with drugs, are considered a superior treatment method for pulmonary infections. One of the promising biomaterials for obtaining such a drug delivery system (DDS) is poly(sebacic anhydride) (PSA) due to its favourable degradation kinetics and mechanism. In this paper, we present a study of manufacturing MPs from PSA loaded with curcumin (CU) for pulmonary purposes. MPs were manufactured by oil-in-water emulsification; their morphology and size distribution were evaluated using optical microscopy, while the encapsulation efficiency and drug loading were obtained by the fluorometric assay. The cytotoxicity of the MPs, both the empty ones and loaded with CU, was analysed by in vitro tests with BEAS-2B human lung epithelial cells. To this end, metabolic activity by AlamarBlue assay and fluorescent staining (DAPI/ eosin) of the cells were performed. The MPs produced were round, regular in shape with diameters in the range of 1-5 µm and of yellow colour originating from CU. The CU encapsulation efficiency ranged from 42% to 55% and decreased with a higher CU ratio. The drug loading ranged from 4% to 11% and increased at a higher CU ratio. Both empty and CU-loaded MPs did not show a cytotoxic effect at concentrations up to 10 µg/ml.