Optimization of Chitosan-Decorated Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Improved Flurbiprofen Transdermal Delivery

Abstract

Transdermal delivery is a potential alternative route to oral administration for drugs associated with stomach discomfort, such as flurbiprofen, a widely nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). This study aimed to design solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) transdermal formulations of flurbiprofen. Chitosan-coated SLNs were prepared by the solvent emulsification method, and their properties and permeation profiles across the excised rat skin were characterized. The particle size of uncoated SLNs was at 695 ± 4.65 nm, which increased to 714 ± 6.13, 847 ± 5.38, and 900 ± 8.65 nm upon coating with 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20% of chitosan, respectively. The drug association efficiency was improved when a higher concentration of chitosan was employed over SLN droplets that endowed a higher affinity of flurbiprofen with chitosan. The drug release was significantly retarded as compared to the uncoated entities and followed non-Fickian anomalous diffusion that was depicted by "n" values of >0.5 and <1. Also, the total permeation of chitosan-coated SLNs (F7−F9) was significantly higher than that of the noncoated formulation (F5). Overall, this study has successfully designed a suitable carrier system of chitosan-coated SLNs that provide insight into the current conventional therapeutic approaches and suggest new directions for the advancements in transdermal drug delivery systems for improved permeation of flurbiprofen.

5-Fluorouracil-Loaded Hyaluronic Acid-Coated Niosomal Vesicles: Fabrication and Ex Vivo Evaluation for Skin Drug Delivery

“…First, the empty pycnometer was weighed and recorded as W 1 . Then the weight of the water-filled pycnometer ( W 2 ) was measured followed by a pycnometer with each understudy niosomal formulation ( W 3 ) via electronic balance (Mettler Toledo, Switzerland) . The densities were calculated by using the following equations. …”

“…First, the empty pycnometer was weighed and recorded as W 1 . Then the weight of the water-filled pycnometer ( W 2 ) was measured followed by a pycnometer with each understudy niosomal formulation ( W 3 ) via electronic balance (Mettler Toledo, Switzerland) . The densities were calculated by using the following equations. normalw ater density = normalw eight of water filled pycnometer 0.25em ( W 2 ) normalv olume of pycnometer 0.25em ( V ) normaln iosomes density = normalw eight of niosomes filled pycnometer 0.25em ( W 3 ) normalv olume of pycnometer 0.25em ( V ) normals pecific gravity = normald ensity of niosomes normald ensity of water …”