Optimization of curcumin loaded lipid nanoparticles formulated using high shear homogenization (HSH) and ultrasonication (US) methods.

Lipid nanoparticles (LN) are drug carriers possessing advantages with respect to stability, drug release profile, and biocompatibility. There are several production methods for lipid nanoparticles. Recently high shear homogenization (HSH) and ultrasound (US) techniques have been used to produce these systems in a cheaper and easier way. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of same important instrumental parameters, such as homogenization time (HT) and ultrasonication time (UT), on particle size (MD) and polydispersity index (PDI) of LNs obtained by HSH-US techniques. Curcumin was used as a model drug to be incapsulated in the LNs. LN were prepared by HSH-US technique using tripalmitin (Dynasan 116) and poloxamer 188 (Lutrol F68) as solid lipid and surfactant, respectively. The preparations were characterized and then evaluated using a factorial design study. From the results obtained, LNs produced by HSH-US method were characterized by nanodimension, high homogeneity and encapsulation efficiency. US technology plays an important role in controlling the final dimension of LN dispersion, while longer times of HSH seem mainly to exert a positive effect on the final homogeneity of particle dispersion. Additional studies are in progress to evaluate drug release profile from LNs, for further in vitro/in vivo correlation studies.