Formulation of acyclovir-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles: design, optimization, and in-vitro characterization

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) offer a promising platform for drug delivery due to their biocompatibility and controlled release properties.
• Acyclovir (ACV) is an antiviral medication requiring effective delivery systems to enhance its therapeutic efficacy.
• Optimization of SLN formulations is crucial for achieving desired physicochemical characteristics and drug release profiles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design, optimize, and characterize Acyclovir-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (ACV-SLNs).
• To investigate the impact of surfactant, lipid, and co-surfactant types on ACV-SLN properties.
• To evaluate the physical stability and drug release kinetics of the optimized ACV-SLN formulation.

Main Methods:

• A full factorial design (2^3) was employed to study the effects of independent variables: surfactant type (Tween 80, Pluronic F68), lipid type (Stearic acid, Compritol 888 ATO), and co-surfactant type (Lecithin, Sodium deoxycholate).
• The microemulsion technique followed by ultrasonication was used for nanoparticle preparation.
• Particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency were characterized. Drug release kinetics and stability were also assessed.

Main Results:

• ACV-SLNs exhibited particle sizes ranging from 172-542 nm with PDI values between 0.193 and 0.526.
• Zeta potential ranged from -25.7 to -41.6 mV, indicating good physical stability.
• Entrapment efficiency was between 56.3-80.7%, and drug release best fitted the Higuchi diffusion model. The optimized formulation (F4) contained Compritol, Pluronic F68, and Lecithin.

Conclusions:

• The full factorial design effectively optimized Acyclovir-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (ACV-SLNs).
• The optimized ACV-SLNs demonstrated favorable physicochemical properties, including good stability and entrapment efficiency.
• These results highlight the potential of the developed ACV-SLNs as a promising drug delivery system.