Development of lipid nanoparticles for transdermal loteprednol etabonate delivery

Abstract

Aim

Loteprednol etabonate (LE) is a new generation corticosteroid that is used for the treatment of inflammatory and allergic conditions of the eye. Therefore, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) were attempted to improve transdermal LE delivery for the first time.

Methods

SLN and NLC were produced by hot homogenisation and ultrasonication technique. Their physical stability was monitored for 3 months of storage. Drug release and permeation of SLN and NLC through the porcine skin were investigated.

Results

It was determined that SLN and NLC mean particle size of 139.1 nm had a homogeneous particle size distribution (∼0.169 PI) and the mean charge was −23.6. They were found to be stable both physically and chemically at room temperature.

Conclusion

SLN and NLC formulations of LE can be stated among the systems that can be an alternative to conventional systems with fewer side-effects in the treatment of inflammatory problems.

Keywords:

• Loteprednol etabonate
• nanostructured lipid carriers
• solid lipid nanoparticles
• topical corticosteroids
• transdermal delivery

Acknowledgement

The authors thank Dr. Pınar Akkuş for providing the electron microscopy laboratories.

Author contributions

Conception: BÜ, SÖ; Design: BÜ, SÖ, MÜ; Supervising: SÖ, ÇT, MÜ, YE; Resources: BÜ, ÇT; Materials: BÜ, SÖ, ÇT; Data collection: BÜ, SÖ; Interpretation; SÖ, MÜ, ÇT; Literature search: BÜ, SÖ, MÜ; Writing manuscript; BÜ, SÖ, MÜ; Critical review: MÜ, ÇT, YE.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).