In vitro Transport of Fexofenadine.HCl in Deformable Liposomes Across the Human Nasal Epithelial Cell Monolayers

Abstract

Fexofenadine HCl is non-sedating histamine H1 receptor antagonist that can be used for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the carriers of deformable liposomes can enhance the transepithelial permeability of fexofenadine HCl across the in vitro ALI human nasal monolayer model. Characterization of this model was achieved by bioelectric measurements and morphological studies. The passage 2 and 3 of cell monolayers exhibited the TEER value of on 11 days of seeding and maintained high TEER value for 5 days. The deformable liposome of fexofenadine HCl was prepared with phosphatidylcholine (PC) and cholic acid using extruder method. The mean particle size was about 200 nm and the maximum entrapment efficiency of 33.0% was obtained in the formulation of 1% PC and fexofenadine HCl. The toxicity of the deformable liposome to human nasal monolayers was evaluated by MTT assay and TEER value change. MTT assay showed that it has no toxic effect on the nasal epithelial cells in 2-hour incubation when the PC concentration was below 1%. However, deformable liposome could not enhance the transepithelial permeability and cellular uptake of fexofenadine HCl. In conclusion, the in vitro model could be used in nasal drug transport studies and evaluation of transepithelial permeability of formulations.