Solid Lipid Nanoparticles of Mycophenolate Mofetil: An Attempt to Control the Release of an Immunosuppressant

Figures & data

Table 1 Preparation of MMF-Loaded βCD Nanoparticles Using Varying Ratios of βCD and Stearic Acid to MMF

Formulations	MMF	βCD	Stearic Acid
F1	1	–	6
F2	1	2	4
F3	1	4	2
F4	1	6	–

Note: Quantities and volume of MMF (0.5 gm), Tween 80 (0.1 mL), chloroform (5.0 mL) and distilled water (20 mL) were kept constant, respectively.

Table 2 Composition of Selected Formulation for the Preparation of MMF-Loaded βCD Nanoparticles

Ingredients	Organic Phase	Aqueous Phase
MMF (gm)	0.5	–
Stearic Acid (gm)	1.0	–
βCD (gm)	–	2.0
Chloroform (mL)	5	–
Tween 80 (mL)	–	0.1
Distilled water (mL)	–	20

Figure 1 FTIR spectra of (A) MMF, (B) stearic acid, (C) βCD and (D) MMF-loaded βCD facilitated SLNs, describing the chemical compatibilities of selected the ingredients.

Figure 2 Zeta size and particle size distribution analysis of MMF-loaded βCD facilitated SLNs.

Figure 3 SEM micrograph of MMF-loaded βCD facilitated SLNs, illustrating nanosized particles with smooth spherical shape.

Figure 4 Calibration curve for MMF, describing linearity behavior in the selected range of concentration (2–12 µg/mL) at 254 nm.

Figure 5 In vitro drug release profile of F1, F2 F3 and F4 of MMF-loaded βCD facilitated SLNs.

Figure 6 Graphical representation of in vitro drug release, conducted at acidic pH (1.2) and basic pH (7.2), showing sustained and controlled release of drug from MMF-loaded βCD facilitated SLNs, during 12 h of the studies.

Table 3 Kinetic Modeling of the Release Data Obtain from in vitro Dissolution Studies

Kinetic Models		pH 1.2	pH 7.2
First order	R^2	0.8770	0.8970
Zero order	R^2	0.9514	0.9528
Higuchi model	R^2	0.7984	0.8273
Korsmeyer–Peppa’s	R^2	0.9523	0.9592
	n	0.958	0.896

Figure 7 XRD diffractogram, (A) describing the crystalline nature of the drug, which has also been observed in prepared, (B) MMF-loaded βCD facilitated SLNs, while, (C) also showed some less intense peaks, attributed to crystalline βCD.

Table 4 Outcomes of Statistical Analysis

Tukey’s Multiple Comparison Test	Mean Diff.	Significant?	Summary	p value <
F1 vs F2	−2.562	Yes	*	0.041
F1 vs F3	−12.89	Yes	**	0.0001
F1 vs F4	−63.97	Yes	**	0.0001
F2 vs F3	−10.33	Yes	**	0.0001
F2 vs F4	−61.4	Yes	**	0.0001
F3 vs F4	−51.07	Yes	**	0.0001

Notes: * is significant and ** is highly significant.