Polyethylene Glycol-Modified Cationic Liposome as a Promising Nano Spray for Acute Pneumonia Treatment

Abstract

Acute pneumonia (AP), triggered primarily by pathogens like bacteria and viruses, is a leading cause of human mortality. Ribavirin, a broad-spectrum antiviral agent, plays a pivotal role in the treatment of AP. However, its therapeutic use is hindered by the need for high dosages and the associated cardiac and hepatic toxicities. In this study, we synthesized polyethylene glycol-modified cationic liposomes to encapsulate ribavirin (RBV-PCL) and formulated it into a spray, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of RBV through respiratory administration. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a compound known to induce AP models in animals, was utilized in our research. Successfully, we established an acute pneumonia model in mice using aerosol inhalation. Through animal experiments, we investigated the therapeutic effects of RBV-PCL on mice with AP. In vivo studies revealed promising results. RBV-PCL effectively prolonged the survival of mice with AP, significantly reduced the levels of inflammatory markers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and inhibited the infiltration of neutrophils in the lungs and spleens of mice. These findings suggest that RBV-PCL can effectively suppress the inflammatory response in mice with AP, thus holding significant potential as a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of acute pneumonia.