Aerosol-based Pulmonary Delivery of Therapeutic Molecules from Food Sources: Delivery Mechanism, Research Trends, and the Way Forward

Abstract

ABSTRACT Delivery of food and drug molecules is a challenging field of research with growing interests. Due to concerns on solubility, stability, and bioavailability, numerous techniques have been explored to identify effective and sustainable approaches. The large surface area and wide blood supply made the lungs a prominent route for the delivery of therapeutic molecules. Several drug molecules have been effectively delivered through the pulmonary route, and this review focuses on the pulmonary delivery of food-derived therapeutic molecules through aerosols. Various methods have been used to fabricate aerosols; their mechanism of deposition and absorption in the lungs involves intricacies in terms of a range of factors including their physical and aerodynamic properties, apart from the conditions of the body. This review attempts to elaborate on these aspects, apart from providing a status report on the current scenario of delivering therapeutic molecules through the pulmonary route. Importantly, highlighting regulatory aspects, challenges associated with the delivery of food-derived molecules such as aerosols are presented, giving lead for directions for future research.