Design and characterization of a new drug nanocarrier made from solid-liquid lipid mixtures

The classical lipid nanoparticles that have been proposed for drug delivery are composed of solid lipids. Due to their composition, these nanoparticles have a limited drug loading and controlled release capacity. The present work was aimed at modifying the inner structure of nanoparticles made of tripalmitin, lecithin, and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-stearate with the incorporation of a liquid lipid (Miglyol 812 oil). The composition and structural organization of the components of the resulting nanoparticles were characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Any possible changes in the crystalline domains of individual components when in the form of the nanoparticles were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. The results of the NMR analysis indicated a significant incorporation of the oil to the solid nanoparticle matrix. Furthermore, the relaxation time constants as well as the peak width of the 1H NMR spectrum of the nanoparticles suggest the presence of the oil in the form of phase-separated liquid nanoreservoirs within the nanoparticles. This conclusion was supported by the observation of restricted diffusion dynamics for the oil molecules. Interestingly, the incorporation of the oil did not interfere with the crystallization of the solid lipids (tripalmitin and PEG-stearate). In conclusion, a new nanostructure consisting of solid lipids and oily nanodomains was developed. This structural modification of the solid lipid nanoparticles may have an effect on their encapsulation capacity and controlled release properties.