Nanostructured lipid carriers containing Amphotericin B: Development, in vitro release assay, and storage stability

Lipid Systems for the Delivery of Amphotericin B in Antifungal Therapy

“…The high EE and the slow drug release for AmB-NLCs confirmed the compatibility of AmB with the lipid matrix, in opposition to results obtained by Tan et al indicating high values of AmB expulsion rates from SLNs [243]. A high rate of AmB encapsulation was inferred from the efficiency encapsulation evaluation, probably due to the core/shell structure of NLCs and the use of liquid lipid that allows preservation of AmB inside the nanocapsule [202]. The developed AmB-NLCs could be considered an option for AmB delivery, and further and specific assays are needed to assess the therapeutic potential of this promising AmB-loaded system [202].…”

“…In order to avoid precipitate formation, lyophilization was necessary to improve stability and shelf-life [202]. Diffraction patterns displayed by the lyophilized formulations (LYO-NLC and LYO-AmB-NLC) showed that AmB was fully solubilized in the crystalline lipid matrix, which was corroborated by thermal analysis.…”

“…Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are nanosized spherical shaped structures composed of a solid lipid core stabilized by surfactants and eventually co-surfactants [157,199,202,236,237]. Several lipids are used in the formulation of SLNs, such as triglycerides (tricaprin, trilaurin, tripalmitin), hard fat type lipids (glycerol behenate, glycerol palmitostearate), and waxes (ethyl palmitate).…”

“…Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are a second generation of SLNs with an oil core made of blends of spatially incompatible solid and liquid lipids developed in order to circumvent common disadvantages observed with SLNs, namely lipid crystallinity and polymorphic transition, lipid particle growth, and predisposition to gelation [157,202,236]. Due to their oily core and larger distance between the fatty acid chains, NLCs have increased drug loading capacity and reduced burst release effect compared to SLNs.…”

“…Santigo et al prepared AmB-loaded NLCs (AmB-NLC) using glyceryl monostearate (GSM) and sesame oil [202]. Entrapment rate and drug release are influenced by the solubility of the drug in the lipid(s) that forms the internal phase of the NLC matrix.…”