Abstract

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Sulfasalazine: Fabrication, Characterization, In-Vitro & In-Vivo Assessment for Oral Bioavailability

Author(s): Maqsood ur Rehman*, Mir Azam Khan, and Muhammad Shafique

Sphere-shaped solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) containing Sulfasalazine (SSZ) were prepared by optimized solvent emulsification diffusion technique and evaluated for their zeta size, morphology, entrapment efficiency, loading capacity, in vitro, in-vivo drug release and stability studies. Initially twelve (12) formulations for unloaded SLNs were prepared using four variables i.e. amount of lipid (stearic acid), amount of surfactant (tween-80), amount of co-surfactant (PVP) and stirring time. All 12 formulations were evaluated for their zeta size and Polydispersity Index (PDI). After determining optimal condition for unloaded SLNs the best formulation i.e. BFM-11 was designated for drug loading. Five different formulations were prepared on basis of drug lipid ratio and evaluated for percent entrapment efficiency, percent drug loading capacity, zeta size, PDI and Zeta Potential.

The drug release profile of all five formulations were scanned in dissolution media, SEM image of optimized formulation SFM-3 clearly indicated that particles were spherical and nano-ranged. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD) results showed that drug was converted from crystalline to amorphous state while FTIR showed that there was no interaction between drug and lipid.