Formulation of novel sustained release rifampicin-loaded solid lipid microparticles based on structured lipid matrices from Moringa oleifera

Abstract

Objectives: To formulate sustained release rifampicin-loaded solid lipid microparticles (SLMs) using structured lipid matrices based on Moringa oil (MO) and Phospholipon 90G (P90G).

Methods: Rifampicin-loaded and unloaded SLMs were formulated by melt homogenization and characterized in terms of particle morphology and size, percentage drug content (PDC), pH stability, stability in simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH 1.2), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and in vitro release. In vivo release was studied in Wistar rats.

Results: Rifampicin-loaded SLMs had particle size range of 32.50 ± 2.10 to 34.0 ± 8.40 μm, highest PDC of 87.6% and showed stable pH. SLMs had good sustained release properties with about 77.1% release at 12 h in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) and 80.3% drug release at 12 h in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF, pH 7.4). SLMs exhibited 48.51% degradation of rifampicin in SGF at 3 h, while rifampicin pure sample had 95.5% degradation. Formulations exhibited MIC range of 0.781 to 1.562, 31.25 to 62.5 and 6.25 to 12.5 μg/ml against Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis respectively and had higher in vivo absorption than the reference rifampicin (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Rifampicin-loaded SLMs could be used once daily for the treatment tuberculosis.

• In vivo release
• lipid absorption
• Moringa oil
• tuberculosis

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Phospholipid GmbH, Köln, Germany for the generous gift of Phospholipon® 90G used in this study.

Declaration of interest

The authors state no conflicts of interest and have received no funding for the research or in the preparation of this manuscript.