Effects in cigarette smoke stimulated bronchial epithelial cells of a corticosteroid entrapped into nanostructured lipid carriers

BACKGROUND: Nanomedicine studies have showed a great potential for drug delivery into the lung. In this manuscript nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) containing Fluticasone propionate (FP) were prepared and their biocompatibility and effects in a human bronchial epithelial cell line (16-HBE) stimulated with cigarette smoke extracts (CSE) were tested. RESULTS: Biocompatibility studies showed that the NLC did not induce cell necrosis or apoptosis. Moreover, it was confirmed that CSE increased intracellular ROS production and TLR4 expression in bronchial epithelial cells and that FP-loaded NLC were more effective than free drug in modulating these processes. Finally, the nanoparticles increased GSH levels improving cell protection against oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that NLC may be considered a promising strategy to improve corticosteroid mediated effects in cellular models associated to corticosteroid resistance. The NLC containing FP can be considered good systems for dosage forms useful for increasing the effectiveness of fluticasone decreasing its side effects.