Resveratrol-Loaded Microsponge as a Novel Biodegradable Carrier for Dry Powder Inhaler: A New Strategy in Lung Delivery

The aim of the present study was to prepare a resveratrol-loaded microsponge-based dry powder inhaler (RES-MS-DPI) using the quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method and to explore its suitability for pulmonary delivery. The prepared microsponges were evaluated for physicochemical properties. Additionally, an in vitro lung deposition study was performed using an Andersen cascade impactor (ACI), while in vivo performance was studied by intratracheal administration. The optimized porous and spherical RES-MS showed particle size, surface charge, entrapment efficiency, mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) and fine particle fraction (FPF) of 2.499 ± 0.56 μm, −25.34 mV, 89.45 ± 0.23%, 2.13 ± 0.21 μm and 48.54 ± 0.25%, respectively, with controlled release. Further, in vitro and in vivo studies of RES-MS showed a twofold improvement in the FPF, and 4.4-, 14.12- and 1.94-fold improvement in the area under the curve (AUC), mean residence time (MRT) and Cmax. The RES-MS exhibited higher aerosolization and lung deposition.