Formulation and characterization of nanostructured lipid carriers containing a mixed lipids core

• We prepared drug free NLCs using various solid fats and liquid oils.
• Effects of lipids on properties of NLCs were investigated by PCS, DSC and XRD.
• Rheological study indicated greater elastic modulus over viscous modulus of our NLC.
• Drug release model proved our NLC formula to be a well-controlled delivery system.

The present study aimed to evaluate influences of mixed lipids and their proportions on formation and properties of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). The physicochemical parameters of drug-free NLCs were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and rheological measurements. In addition, a drug incorporation model was introduced into the NLCs for the application test. The hydrodynamic diameter (Rd) of the final NLCs (varying from 150 nm to 350 nm) was affected by diverse lipids core. DSC results showed that both onset and melting points of NLCs declined due to the addition of the liquid oil, and the liquid oil enabled the melting peak wider, indicating a reduced crystallinity of NLC products which almost coincided with the XRD analysis. Furthermore, rheological studies suggested stronger elasticity property than the viscosity property of the NLC systems. NLCs with high lipids content (20 wt%) had good thixotropy. Conjugated linoleic acid incorporation study showed that the NLC formulation had the well-controlled release profile.

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