Abstract
Because of excellent bioavailability and high biocompatibility, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have gained attention in recent years, especially in drug delivery systems. SLNs are composed of a drug that is loaded in a lipid matrix and stabilized by surfactants. In this work, we have investigated the feasibility of the acoustic cavitation-assisted hot melt mixing method for the formulation of SLNs using different stabilizers. A lipid Compritol 888 ATO (CPT) and a poorly water-soluble drug ketoprofen (KP) were used as a model lipid and drug, respectively. Gelucire 50/13 (GEL), poloxamer 407 (POL), and Pluronic F-127 (PLU) were used as the stabilizers. The effect of the stabilizers on the physico-chemical properties of SLNs was thoroughly studied in this work. The particle size and stability in water at different temperatures were measured using a dynamic light scattering method. The spherical shape (below 250 nm) and core-shell morphology were confirmed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The chemical, crystal, and thermal properties of SLNs were studied by FTIR, XRD analysis, and DSC, respectively. SLNs prepared using different stabilizers showed an encapsulation efficiency of nearly 90% and a drug loading efficiency of 12%. SLNs showed more than 90% of drug released in 72 h and increased with pH was confirmed using in vitro drug release studies. SLNs were nontoxic to raw 264.7 cells. All stabilizers were found suitable for acoustic cavitation-assisted SLN formulation with high encapsulation efficiency and drug loading and good biocompatibility.