Title:Preparation and In-Vitro Characterization of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Containing Artemisinin and Curcumin
Volume: 13
Issue: 1
Author(s): Bhagyashri Khatri, Vaishali Thakkar*, Saloni Dalwadi, Avani Shah, Hardik Rana, Purvi Shah, Tejal Gandhi and Bhupendra Prajapati
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Anand Pharmacy College, Anand, Gujarat, India
Keywords:
Artemisinin, curcumin, solid lipid nanoparticles, design of experiment, high-speed homogenization, malaria.
Abstract:
Background: Malaria remains a formidable public health obstacle across Africa, Southeast
Asia, and portions of South America, exacerbated by resistance to antimalarial medications,
such as artemisinin-based combinations. The combination of curcumin and artemisinin shows promise
due to its potential for dose reduction, reduced toxicity, synergistic effects, and suitability for
drug delivery improvement.
Objectives: This research aims to enhance the solubility and dissolution rates of curcumin and artemisinin
by employing Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs). Oral delivery of both drugs faces challenges
due to their poor water solubility, inefficient absorption, and rapid metabolism and elimination.
Methods: The study focuses on formulating and optimizing Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) encapsulating
artemisinin (ART) and curcumin (CUR). SLNs were developed using the hot homogenization
method, incorporating ultrasonication. Drug-excipient compatibility was evaluated using Differential
Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Lipid and surfactant screening was performed to select suitable
components. A 3² full factorial design was utilized to investigate the influence of lipid and surfactant
concentrations on key parameters, such as entrapment efficiency (%EE) and cumulative drug
release (%CDR). Additionally, evaluations of %EE, drug loading, particle size, zeta potential, and
in-vitro drug release were conducted.
Results: Successful development of artemisinin and curcumin SLNs was achieved using a full factorial
design, demonstrating controlled drug release and high entrapment efficiency. The optimized
nanoparticles exhibited a size of 114.7nm, uniformity (PDI: 0.261), and a zeta potential of -9.24
mV. Artemisinin and curcumin showed %EE values of 79.1% and 74.5%, respectively, with cumulative
drug release of 85.1% and 80.9%, respectively. The full factorial design indicated that increased
lipid concentration improved %EE, while higher surfactant concentration enhanced drug release
and %EE. Stability studies of the optimized batch revealed no alterations in physical or chemical
characteristics.
Conclusion: The study successfully developed Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) for artemisinin
and curcumin, achieving controlled drug release, high entrapment efficiency, and desired particle
size and uniformity. This advancement holds promise for enhancing drug delivery of herbal formulations.
