Development and Evaluation of Astaxanthin as Nanostructure Lipid Carriers in Topical Delivery
Description
The study is designed to formulate, optimize and evaluate Astaxanthin (ASTA) loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) with an aim to improve its stability, water solubility, skin permeability, retention, and reduce drug related side effects. ASTA was extracted from Haematococcus pluvialis. ASTA-NLC was formulated by the technique of melt emulsification - ultrasonic and optimized taking solid:liquid lipid ratio, total lipid:drug ratio, drug concentration, emulsifier types and amounts as independent variables with particle sizes (PS) and entrapment efficiency (EE) as dependent variables. The optimized formulation (N21) exhibited spherical surfaced stable nano particles of 67.4 ± 2.11 nm size and 94.3 ± 0.47% EE. Formulation N21 was then evaluated for its physiological properties, physicochemical properties, drug content, in vitro release and skin penetration and retention analysis. The ASTA-NLC was found to be non-irritating, homogenous and with excellent stability. In vitro release studies showed the cumulative release rate of NLC was 83.0 ± 3.44% at 48 h. The skin penetration and retention studies indicated NLC preparation had good properties in topical delivery. It can be concluded that NLC serves as a promising carrier for site specific targeting with better stability and skin penetration.