Functionalization of solid lipid nanoparticles for drug delivery

Abstract

This study investigated the functionalization of the gelatin coating layer for the solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) loaded terbinafine hydrochloride (TH) for stabilizing the SLNs system in film-forming gel. The SLNs were prepared by using hot homogenization method in which stearic acid was used as solid lipid phase and tween 80 as the surfactant. The coating process was carried out using anti-solvent/cross-linking technique with the coating material was gelatin and glutaraldehyde as cross-linker. The optimal formulations were determined based on the results of particle size, release profile as well as other physicochemical analysis. The morphology of the SLNs before and after coating when being loaded in gel was observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) which showed the shape of the particles and the gelatin coating layer of SLNs when being loaded in gel. The results suggested the best formulations were GTA-G3 and GTA-G5 with particle size under 150 nm, good drying time, small contact angle indicating good wettability and % drug release of GTA-G3 reached 100 % after 24 h. Compared to the uncoated SLNs, the coated ones showed sustained release profile. This indicated that the coated SLNs held potential to be good topical delivery system for lipophilic drugs. Keywords: gelatin, coating, SLNs, Terbinafine Hydrochloride, gel.