Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is pulmonary emphysema characterized by blockage in the airflow resulting in the long-term breathing problem, hence a major cause of mortality worldwide. Excessive generation of free radicals and the development of chronic inflammation are the major two episodes underlying the pathogenesis of COPD. Currently used drugs targeting these episodes including anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, and corticosteroids are unsafe, require high doses, and pose serious side effects. Nanomaterial-conjugated drugs have shown promising therapeutic potential against different respiratory diseases as they are required in small quantities which lower overall treatment costs and can be effectively targeted to diseased tissue microenvironment hence having minimal side effects. Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) are safe as their breakdown products are easily metabolized in the body. Drugs loaded on the PLGA NPs have been shown to be promising agents as anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory. Surface modification of PLGA NPs can further improve their mechanical properties, drug loading potential, and pharmacological activities. In the present review, we have presented a brief insight into the pathophysiological mechanism underlying COPD and highlighted the role, potential, and current status of PLGA NPs loaded with drugs in the therapy of COPD.
Highlights
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major public health problem contributing to the third most common cause of death globally [1]
Gender is no bias in developing COPD, males are at a higher risk because males are more likely to smoke in comparison to females [20]
During the passage across membranes, these particles get exposed to multiple barriers before the uptake of lung cells which results in their premature collapse
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major public health problem contributing to the third most common cause of death globally [1]. Anti-inflammatory drugs including roflumilast, a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, have shown promising result in improving lung function and preventing exacerbations in COPD. PLGA is the best choice in the design of nanodrug delivery systems for the treatment of various diseases They have applications in cancer therapy [8], wound healing [9], antimicrobial [10], antioxidant [11], and anti-inflammatory activities [12]. Small RNA molecules and drug conjugates have been developed to treat chronic respiratory diseases which can be loaded onto PLGA NP for improved pharmacological actions [16]. COPD is the gradual decrease in lung function marked by an irreversible obstruction in the airways primarily due to the chronic inflammatory insult of the peripheral airways [17] This disease is characterized by emphysema which includes damage to the alveoli and chronic bronchitis having obstructive airflow, resulting in short breaths during vigorous physical activity. Gender is no bias in developing COPD, males are at a higher risk because males are more likely to smoke in comparison to females [20]
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