Development and Optimisation of Spironolactone Nanoparticles for Enhanced Dissolution Rates and Stability.

Stable solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) formulations to enhance the dissolution rates of poorly soluble drug spironolactone (SP) were being developed. Probe ultra-sonication method was used to prepare SLNs and NLCs. All NLCs contained stearic acid (solid lipid carrier) and oleic acid (liquid lipid content), whereas, SLNs were prepared and optimised by using the solid lipid only. The particles were characterised in terms of particle size analysis, thermal behaviour, morphology, stability and in vitro release. The zeta sizer data revealed that the increase in the concentration of oleic acid in the formulations reduced the mean particle size and the zeta potential. The increase in concentration of oleic acid from 0 to 30% (w/w) resulted in a higher entrapment efficiency. All nanoparticles were almost spherically shaped with an average particle size of about ∼170 nm. The DSC traces revealed that the presence of oleic acid in the NLC formulations resulted in a shift in the melting endotherms to a higher temperature. This could be attributed to a good long-term stability of the nanoparticles. The stability results showed that the particle size remained smaller in NLC compared to that of SLN formulations after 6 months at various temperatures. The dissolution study showed about a 5.1- to 7.2-fold increase in the release of the drug in 2 h compared to the raw drug. Comparing all nanoparticle formulations indicated that the NLC composition with a ratio of 70:30 (solid:liquid lipid) is the most suitable formulation with desired drug dissolution rates, entrapment efficiency and physical stability.

Formulation optimization and in vitro skin penetration of spironolactone loaded solid lipid nanoparticles.

The aim of the current investigation was to prepare and evaluate the potential use of solid lipid nanoparticles for the dermal delivery of spironolactone (SP). The spironolactone loaded SLN (SP-SLN) was prepared by emulsion-solvent evaporation method followed by ultrasonication. The properties of obtained SLNs were characterized by photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and differential scanning calorimetry. FT-IR was also used to investigate any interaction between SP and excipients in the molecular level during the preparation of SLNs. The performance of the formulations was investigated in terms of drug release, skin permeation and also the retention of drug by the skin. The SP-SLNs presented spherical shape with the mean diameter, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency of 88.9 nm, -23.9 mV and 59.86%, respectively. DSC study showed that SP alone encapsulated in SLNs was in the amorphous form. FT-IR analysis revealed that there were hydrogen bond interactions between the SP alone and SLN components. The dissolution results revealed that the drug release from SP-SLNs was at least 4.9 times faster than original SP within the first 30 min. The cumulative amount of SP penetrated through rat skin from SP-SLNs was almost twofold that of the SP alone in 24h after the administration. In vitro permeation studies indicated that SP-SLN may be a promising vector for use in the topical treatment. It can be concluded that SLNs provide good skin permeation for SP and may be a promising carrier for topical delivery of spironolactone offering the biphasic release pattern that might be interesting for topical application resulting in an effective treatment for skin disorders such as acne.