Investigation of Using and Constructing Nanoparticles to Fight Tuberculosis

Abstract

In the 21stcentury, tuberculosis is a largely treatable and curable disease. Despite this, the lengthy treatments involved in fully ridding the body of tuberculosis often are riddled with embarrassing and/or dangerous side effects. Complications that arise from these treatments include (but are not limited to): yellow skin, the yellowing of eyes, nausea, liver damage (especially in those who already suffer from liver problems or alcohol addiction), and a lowering of the effectiveness of birth control pills. Individuals taking medicine to treat diabetes have reported that their tuberculosis treatment interferes with their diabetic medication. The main drug behind these unpleasant side effects is Rifampicin, which is one of the most commonly used drugs in curing tuberculosis. To combat these negative side effects, we have been working to develop nanoparticles designed to deliver Rifampicin to affected areas (mainly the lungs and respiratory tracts) more selectively. Doing so could reduce the amount of time a person with tuberculosis needs to take it. As a result, the chances of people developing harmful side effects decreases while still allowing for a thorough treatment of the illness.2In this study, several variables were explored including: different concentrations of the drug, the polymer used to form the nanoparticle, the solvents used to dissolve the drug, and multiple methods of preparation to produce the highest encapsulation efficiency and drug loading efficiency.