Drug delivery systems for fluoroquinolones: New prospects in tuberculosis treatment

Abstract

The review focuses on new delivery systems of fluoroquinolones, the highly active antibiotics, the therapeutic application of which is still limited due to low bioavailability and low solubility in biological media. The development of suitable delivery systems seems to be a promising solution to these problems. Here, we consider the delivery systems based on synthetic polymers (polylactic and polyglycolic acids and their copolymers, polycaprolactones, etc.) and natural polymers, in particular, polysaccharides. Oligosaccharide delivery systems, conjugates of fluoroquinolones with natural polymers, as well as lipid delivery systems, including liposomes, solid lipid particles, and hybrid particles, are also discussed. The characteristic features of oral, intravenous, and aerosol delivery methods for fluoroquinolones are revealed, which is especially important in the development of new drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis.