Optimization and Fabrication of Curcumin Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Using Box-Behnken Design for Nasal Delivery

Aims: To prepare curcumin loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for nasal administration using Box-Behnken design. Background: The effectiveness of curcumin in neurological disorders is widely studied by various researchers, but its use is limited due to its poor bioavailability. The brain-targeting efficiency of curcumin can be improved using solid lipid nanoparticles via nasal administration. Objective: In the present work, Curcumin loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (CUR-SLN) were formulated and optimized for nasal administration. Methods: Based on solubility studies, cetostearyl alcohol and poloxamer 407 were selected as lipid and surfactant, respectively. Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used to analyze the effects of drug-to-lipid ratio (X1), surfactant concentration (X2) and homogenization time (X3) on particle size (Y1) and % entrapment efficiency (Y2). The CUR-SLN were formulated by the high shear homogenization method. The optimized formulation was evaluated for DSC, TEM, drug release and ex-vivo studies. Results: Good results were obtained for the particle size and entrapment efficiency analyzed using BBD. The optimized formulation of CUR-SLN obtained using BBD was observed with a particle size of 96.09 nm and % EE of 78.23. In-vitro release of the drug was found to be 82.93± 0.15% after 8 hours. DSC studies revealed that crystalline form of curcumin changed to an amorphous form in SLN. TEM results of optimized CUR-SLN were in correlation with the results obtained using a zeta sizer. No harmful effects were observed on nasal mucosa in the histopathology study. Conclusion: The SLN can be safely utilized for the intranasal administration of curcumin.