Preparation, characterization and biodistribution of nanostructured lipid carriers for parenteral delivery of bifendate

Abstract

Nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC)-loaded bifendate (DDB) was prepared by melt-emulsification method to improve drug payloads and liver targeting. The particle size of the prepared formulation analysed by photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) was 217.4 nm with a narrow polydispersity index (PI) lower than 0.2, meanwhile the loading capacity increased from 4.3% to 15.7% in comparison with DDB-loaded SLN reported in previous study. The zeta potential value was −21.91 mV, and transmission electron microscopy studies revealed NLC of irregularly spherical shape. With respect to lipid polymorphism, a less ordered structure of NLC was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In addition, tissue distribution of DDB-loaded NLC and DDB solution were carried out in Kunming strain mice. In tested organs, the distribution of DDB-loaded NLC to liver was higher than that of free drug. These results support the potential applications of NLC for the delivery of DDB.

• nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC)
• bifendate (DDB)
• entrapment efficiency
• biodistribution
• liver targeting

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the National Basic Research Programme of China (973 Programme) for providing the financial support, the programme number is 2009CB930300.