SOLID LIPID NANOPARTICLES (SLN) –BASED HYDROGEL FORMULATION FOR TOPICAL DELIVERY OF MICONAZOLE NITRATE

Abstract

The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate gels incorporating solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) of Miconazole nitrate (MN) for systemic delivery of the active after topical application. Solid lipid nanoparticles designed for topical administration of MN, were prepared by the hot high pressure homogenization technique. MN-SLN was characterized for particle size, entrapment efficiency and SEM. The lipid nanoparticles were incorporated in gels for convenient topical application and were evaluated for particle size, Rheological analysis Texture analysis , In vitro drug release studies and  Ex Vitro skin permeation Studies.  The preparation of aqueous SLN dispersions with a mean particle size lower than 250 nm has been obtained with uniform size distribution (PI < 0.400). The prepared semi-solid systems showed mean particle size remained lower than 250 nm and PI remained lower than 0.500 after 3 months of storage.  An initial rapid release was observed in the case of Marketed gel, whereas MN- SLN Gel depicted a slow initial release with a lag time of 0.5 h and 1 h, respectively. Ex-vivo tests showed that SLN were able to control the drug release through the stratum corneum; the release rate depended upon the lipid content on the nanoparticles. High amount of MN release was facilitated through abdominal skin of rats from marketed gel (0.687 mg/cm²) than MN-SLN Gel (0.260 mg/cm²). It was observed that MN-loaded SLN -bearing hydrogel was more efficient in the treatment of candidiasis. Results indicate that MN-loaded SLN-bearing hydrogel provides a sustaining MN topical effect as well as faster relief from fungal infection.