Overview
Topic status: In progress
Overview
The purpose of this research will be to explore the concentration of magnesium stearate and leucine to maximise the dispersion of salbutamol sulphate (SS) from dry powder inhaler formulation for the management of asthma. Asthma is a lung disease that affects the air passage of the lung and causes difficulty in breathing. It is one of the most common, widespread chronic health problem and approximately 14% of children and 10-12% of adults are suffering from this disease in Australia. Inhalational therapy is at the cutting age of modern drug delivery research which impacts the treatment of asthma and other lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and cystic fibrosis.
Dry powders for inhalation are as carrier-based interactive mixtures with micronised drug particles adhered onto the surface of large lactose carriers. For the carrier-based interactive mixtures, particles with aerodynamic particle sizes of less than 5 μm are mixed with large carriers for effective deep lung deposition; however, the drug dispersion from the formulation and currently available DPIs do not disperse the drug more than 20%. To improve the delivery of drugs, studies have demonstrated different techniques such as smoothing the carrier surface, use of ternary materials in the formulations and addition of fine powders of various materials (glucose, lactose and sorbitol). The concentration of added fine particles and their size affect the performance of drug dispersion. In this context, importance of excipients in maximising drug dispersion by manipulating the interactive mixtures will be investigated. The outcome of this study is expected to earn massive attention in pharmaceutical arena for the management of asthma and other lung disorders and will play a significant role in health economy.
Methods and techniques
The methods and techniques used include:
- in-vitro drug dispersion test: Twin-Stage Impinger (TSI)
- drug analysis: UV and HPLC
- particle sizing of drug: Malvern Mastersizer S.
- morphological study: Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
Duration of project
6-8 weeks, mid-November to the beginning of Semester 1, 2012
- Study level
- Vacation research experience scholarship
- Supervisors
- QUT
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Contact
- Please contact supervisor for enquiries.
Dr Nazrul Islam
