Proposed model of NSAID loaded and polymer coated NLC alongwith its dependence of size ( ), PDI ( ), release rate ( ) and absorption maxima ( ) as well as its morphology and antibacterial activity ARTICLE This journal is Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), with potential drug delivery capabilities, were formulated using soylecthin (SLC), tristearin (TS) and palmitic acid (PA) in the absence and the presence of two antiinflammatory drugs, diclofenac sodium (DNa) and indomethacin (IMC). Tween 60 was used as stabilizer separetely in combination with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC, anionic), polyethylene glycol (PEG, nonionic) and N, N, dimethyl-N-dodecyl derivative of hydroxyethyl cellulose (LM200, cationic). Both DNa and IMC substantially decreased size and increased polydispersity index (PDI) of the NLCs. Hydrodynamic parameter, viz., size, zeta potential and polydispersity index as well as the thermal behaviour of the NLCs depended on the type and charge of the added polymers. Weak interactions between drug and lipid matrices in the bulk mixtures were established through FT-IR studies. NLC formulations exhibited lower entrapment efficiency and loading content in case of DNa compared to IMC due to the higher ionic nature of the former drug. Polymers influenced the entrapment efficiency and loading ability of the NLCs in case of both DNa and IMC. 85% of the entrapped DNa was released from the NLC, compared to 54% release in case of IMC; the drug release rate were higher for PEG and NaCMC coated systems. LM200 delayed the drug release process with respect to NaCMC and PEG. Both DNa and IMC loaded NLCs inhibited the growth of gram positive bacteria, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. It was concluded that the physicochemical properties of NLCs could effectively be modified by using polymers; thus the biomimetic characteristics of lipids and architectural advantage of polymers can be combined to yield a superior drug delivery system.