PRELIMINARY CHARACTERIZATION OF MODIFIED NANOSTRUCTURED LIPID CARRIERS AS POTENTIAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS

PRELIMINARY CHARACTERIZATION OF MODIFIED NANOSTRUCTURED LIPID CARRIERS AS POTENTIAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS


Ugwu AA, Nnamani PO, Ibezim EC, Reginald-Opara JN, Attama AA
Drug Delivery and Nanomedicines Research Group, Department of Pharmaceutics;
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria

Afr. J Pharm Res Dev; Volume 10(2): 085-090  ;  2018
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to preliminarily investigate two solid homolipids from: natural Bos indicus (tallow fat) and semi-synthetic lipid (Precirol® ATO 5), separately structured with liquid lipid (Transcutol® HP) and/or heterolipid flakes (Phospholipon 90G) to ascertain their potentials for drug delivery. Lipid mixtures were prepared by fusion and screened by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Optimized lipid matrices were used to formulate nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) by hot homogenisation method using mixed optimized surfactants concentrations (1, 2 and 3 %w/w) of Polysorbate 80, Poloxamer® 188 and Solutol® HS respectively. NLC particles were analysed for particle size, polydispersity index, surface charge, morphology, thermal properties, pH storage stability and solid state characteristics. Resultant binary lipids formed with solid lipids (Precirol ATO 5® and/or tallow fat) and liquid lipid (Trancutol P®) had better thermal properties than the individual bulk lipids or when modified with P90G. FTIR spectra showed no interactions whereas NLC production was optimum at 15 % binary lipid composition and surfactant concentrations used, at the emulsification time of 15 min. NLC particles were stable, spherically smooth and non-porous with nanometric sizes, moderate polydispersity and high negative surface charges. Since the binary lipid mixtures of tallow fat/Transcutol and/or Precirol/Transcutol had low crystallinity required for high drug encapsulation, additional to being able to form moderately polydispersed nanoparticles, it follows that the NLC formulations might serve as alternative oral delivery systems to improve solubility of some poorly soluble drugs.

Email of correspondence:petra.nnamani@unn.edu.ng
KEYWORDS: Nanostructured lipid carrier; Precirol® ATO 5; Tallow fat; Transcutol® HP; Phospholipon® 90G.