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Updated: May 14, 2026
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Spatio-Temporal In Vivo Imaging of Ocular Drug Delivery Systems using Fiberoptic Confocal Laser Microendoscopy
Published on: September 27, 2021
Indomethacin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for ocular delivery: development, characterization, and in vitro
Ketan Hippalgaonkar1, Goutham R Adelli, Kanchan Hippalgaonkar
1Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA.
Summary
Indomethacin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (IN-SLNs) were developed for eye delivery. These IN-SLNs demonstrated enhanced stability and corneal permeability, improving ocular bioavailability.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Nanotechnology
- Ocular Drug Delivery
Background:
- Ocular drug delivery faces challenges in achieving therapeutic drug concentrations.
- Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) offer a promising platform for improving drug stability and delivery.
- Indomethacin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for various ocular conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize indomethacin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (IN-SLNs) for enhanced ocular delivery.
- To optimize IN-SLNs formulation for improved indomethacin solubility and stability.
- To evaluate the in vitro corneal permeability and ocular bioavailability of indomethacin from SLNs.
Main Methods:
- Investigated various lipids, homogenization parameters, and surfactant compositions for IN-SLN preparation.
- Selected Compritol® 888 ATO as the optimal lipid phase based on indomethacin solubility.
- Characterized IN-SLNs for particle size, polydispersity index, zeta-potential, and entrapment efficiency.
Main Results:
- Optimized IN-SLNs achieved a particle size of 140 nm with good physical stability.
- The optimized formulation showed an entrapment efficiency of 72.0% and a negative zeta-potential of -21 mV.
- IN-SLNs significantly enhanced indomethacin's chemical stability and in vitro corneal permeability compared to solutions.
Conclusions:
- Topical indomethacin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (IN-SLNs) represent a viable strategy for improving ocular drug bioavailability.
- The developed IN-SLNs formulation offers enhanced stability and corneal penetration for indomethacin.
- SLNs hold potential for advanced ocular drug delivery systems.
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