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Updated: May 9, 2026
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Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) for Intracellular Targeting Applications
Published on: November 17, 2015
In vitro and ex vivo toxicological testing of sildenafil-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles
M Paranjpe1, V Neuhaus, J H Finke
1Institut für Pharmazeutische Technologie, TU Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.
Inhalation Toxicology
|August 3, 2013
Summary
This study explored the safety of sildenafil-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) for pulmonary hypertension treatment. The results indicate that sildenafil-SLN are safe for lung and heart tissues, supporting their potential use via inhalation.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Pulmonary hypertension requires effective drug delivery systems.
- Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) offer potential for targeted drug delivery.
- Sildenafil is a key therapeutic agent for pulmonary hypertension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cytotoxicity of sildenafil-loaded SLN as a potential inhalable drug delivery system (DDS) for pulmonary hypertension.
- To determine the solubility and stability of sildenafil within the SLN lipid matrix.
- To assess the safety profile of sildenafil-loaded SLN in various in vitro and ex vivo lung and heart models.
Main Methods:
- Sildenafil-loaded SLN were manufactured using microchannel homogenization.
- Solubility of sildenafil in the phospholipid:triglyceride matrix was determined.
- Cytotoxicity was assessed using MTT assay on A549 (lung) and MHEC5-T (heart) cell lines, and rat precision cut lung and heart slices (PCLS and PCHS).
Main Results:
- Sildenafil-loaded SLN were successfully produced with a particle size of ~180 nm and showed stability for up to three months.
- Median lethal dose 50% (LD50) values indicated low cytotoxicity, with ranges of 1200-1900 µg/ml for lung models and 1500-2800 µg/ml for heart models.
- Heart tissue models (PCHS) exhibited slightly higher LD50 values than lung tissue models (PCLS).
Conclusions:
- Sildenafil-loaded SLN demonstrate a favorable safety profile for potential use in treating pulmonary hypertension.
- The developed SLN are suitable for inhalation, offering a promising new drug delivery system.
- Further investigation into the therapeutic efficacy of sildenafil-loaded SLN for pulmonary hypertension is warranted.
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