Human <i>Lactobacillus</i> Biosurfactants as Natural Excipients for Nasal Drug Delivery of Hydrocortisone

• Main Authors: Elisa Corazza (Author), Angela Abruzzo (Author), Barbara Giordani (Author), Teresa Cerchiara (Author), Federica Bigucci (Author), Beatrice Vitali (Author), Massimiliano Pio di Cagno (Author), Barbara Luppi (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2022-02-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14030524; 1999-4923
• Keywords: biosurfactants; <i>Lactobacillus</i>; nasal delivery; drug solubility; mucoadhesion; drug permeation; Pharmacy and materia medica; RS1-441
• Source: Pharmaceutics, Vol 14, Iss 3, p 524 (2022)

The inclusion of a chemical permeation enhancer in a dosage form is considered an effective approach to improve absorption across the nasal mucosa. Herein we evaluated the possibility of exploiting biosurfactants (BS) produced by <i>Lactobacillus gasseri</i> BC9 as innovative natural excipients to improve nasal delivery of hydrocortisone (HC). BC9-BS ability to improve HC solubility and the BS mucoadhesive potential were investigated using the surfactant at a concentration below and above the critical micelle concentration (CMC). In vitro diffusion studies through the biomimetic membrane PermeaPad^® and the same synthetic barrier functionalized with a mucin layer were assessed to determine BC9-BS absorption enhancing properties in the absence and presence of the mucus layer. Lastly, the diffusion study was performed across the sheep nasal mucosa using BC9-BS at a concentration below the CMC. Results showed that BC9-BS was able to interact with the main component of the nasal mucosa, and that it allowed for a greater solubilization and also permeation of the drug when it was employed at a low concentration. Overall, it seems that BC9-BS could be a promising alternative to chemical surfactants in the nasal drug delivery field.