Preparation and characterization of solid lipid nanoparticles loaded with frankincense and myrrh oil

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to prepare solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) for the oral delivery of frankincense and myrrh essential oils (FMO). Aqueous dispersions of SLNs were successfully prepared by a high-pressure homogenization method using Compritol 888 ATO as the solid lipid and soybean lecithin and Tween 80 as the surfactants. The properties of the SLNs such as particle size, zeta potential (ZP), and drug encapsulation efficiency (EE) were investigated. The morphology of SLNs was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The crystallinity of the formulation was analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In addition, drug evaporation release and antitumor activity were also studied. Round SLNs with a mean size of 113.3 ± 3.6 nm, a ZP of −16.8 ± 0.4 mV, and an EE of 80.60% ± 1.11% were obtained. DSC and XRD measurements revealed that less ordered structures were formed in the inner cores of the SLN particles. Evaporation loss of the active components in FMO could be reduced in the SLNs. Furthermore, the SLN formulation increased the antitumor efficacy of FMO in H22-bearing Kunming mice. Hence, the presented SLNs can be used as drug carriers for hydrophobic oil drugs extracted from traditional Chinese medicines.

Keywords:

• solid lipid nanoparticles
• frankincense oil
• myrrh oil
• evaporation release
• antitumor activity
• traditional Chinese medicine

Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the Subject Chief Scientist Program (10XD14303900) from the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, and the Program (NCET08-0898) for New Century Excellent Talents and Program (No IRT1071) for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in Universities from the State Education Ministry, PR China.

The authors gratefully acknowledge Dr Zhenghai Zhang of Jiangsu Provincial Academy of Chinese Medicine for his helpful suggestions.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.