Formulation of tenofovir‐loaded functionalized solid lipid nanoparticles intended for HIV prevention

The objective of this study is to engineer polylysine-heparin functionalized solid lipid nanoparticles (fSLNs) for the use of a vaginal microbicide delivery template for HIV prevention. The fSLNs are prepared using a modified phase‐inversion technique followed by a layer‐by‐layer deposition method. The Box-Behnken experimental design is used to analyze the influence of three factors (X1 = bovine serum albumin concentration, X2 = pH of the aqueous phase, and X3 = lipid amount) on the particle mean diameter (PMD) measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Tenofovir is used as a model anti‐HIV microbicide. The SLNs are also characterized for morphology, zeta potential (ζ ), percent drug encapsulation efficiency (EE%), and cytotoxicity on a human vaginal epithelial cell line by electron microscopy, DLS, ultraviolet, and fluorescence spectroscopy, respectively. The statistical model predicts particle size (Y) with 90% confidence and the Y values are significantly affected by X1 and X2. The produced fSLNs appear noncytotoxic and exhibit a platelet‐like shape with respective PMD, EE%, and ζ value of 153 nm, 8.3%, and − 51mV. These fSLNs intended to be administered topically have the potential to enhance cellular uptake of hydrophobic microbicides and outdistance the virus during the HIV/AIDS infection process, possibly leading to more effective prevention of the disease transmission. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 100:3345-3356, 2011