Surface active properties of lipid nanocapsules.

Lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) are biomimetic nanocarriers used for the encapsulation of a broad variety of active ingredients. Similar to surface active compounds, LNCs contain both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts in their structure. Moreover, the components of LNCs, macrogol 15 hydroxystearate (MHS) and lecithin, are known for their surface active properties. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to investigate the capability of the LNCs to decrease surface tension using two techniques: drop tensiometry and the Wilhelmy plate method. LNCs with diameters ranging from 30 to 100 nm were successfully obtained using a phase inversion technique. The LNCs' properties, such as size and zeta potential, depend on the composition. LNCs exhibit a lower limiting surface tension compared to MHS (34.8-35.0 mN/m and 37.7-38.8 mN/m, respectively), as confirmed by both drop tensiometry and the Wilhelmy plate method. LNCs have exhibited a saturated interfacial concentration (SIC) that was 10-fold higher than the critical micellar concentration (CMC) of MHS or the SIC of binary and ternary mixtures of LNC ingredients. The SIC of the LNC formulations depended on the mass mixing ratio of the MHS/triglycerides but not on the presence of lecithin. The CMC/SIC values measured by the Wilhelmy plate method were higher than those obtained using drop tensiometry because of the longer duration of the tensiometry measurement. In conclusion, the surfactant-like properties of the LNCs offer new possibilities for medical and pharmaceutical applications.

Formulation and nebulization of fluticasone propionate-loaded lipid nanocarriers.

Inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) is often prescribed as a first-line therapy for the effective management of pulmonary diseases such as asthma. As nanocarriers offer many advantages over other drug delivery systems, this study investigated the suitability of lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) as a carrier for fluticasone propionate, examining the drug-related factors that should be considered in the formulation design and the behaviour of LNCs with different compositions and properties suspended within aerosol droplets under the relatively hostile conditions of nebulization. By adjusting the formulation conditions, particularly the nanocarrier composition, FP was efficiently encapsulated within the LNCs with a yield of up to 97%, and a concentration comparable to commercially available preparations was achieved. Moreover, testing the solubility of the drug in oil and water and determining the oil/water partition coefficient proved to be useful when assessing the encapsulation of the FP in the LNC formulation. Nebulization did not cause the FP to leak from the formulation, and no phase separation was observed after nebulization. LNCs with a diameter of 100 nm containing a smaller amount of surfactant and a larger amount of oil provided a better FP-loading capacity and better stability during nebulization than 30 or 60 nm LNCs.