Development of Curcumin loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers: Preparation, Characterization and In-vitro Evaluation of Anti-cancer Activity Against A-549 Human Lung Cancer Cell Line

Aims: The present study was aimed at preparing stable lyophilized curcumin loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). The optimized lyophilized curcumin loaded NLCs were characterized and evaluated for various quality control parameters.

Methodology: The optimized curcumin loaded NLCs were prepared by modified hot emulsification using compritol 888 ATO (CMPR), capmul MCM C8 EP (CAP) as solid and liquid lipids respectively. The combination of tween 80 (T80) and solutol HS 15 (SHS) were used as an emulsifier. The NLCs dispersion was lyophilized into powder form to improve the thermodynamic stability of the formulation. The lyophilized curcumin loaded NLCs were evaluated for particle size, size distribution, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency (EE), drug loading, assay, in-vitro drug release, crystallinity, thermal behavior and surface morphology studies.

Results: The optimized lyophilized curcumin loaded NLCs have a mean particle size of 332.88 ± 5.9 nm with a size distribution of 0.350 ± 0.007, a zeta potential of 0.098 ± 0.019 mV with high entrapment of 97.64 ± 1.59% and drug loading of 2.50 ± 0.16%. The X-ray diffraction and endothermic peaks confirmed the maximum encapsulation of curcumin in lipid matrices. The particles were spherical with smooth surface morphology. In-vitro release studies showed sustained release for up to 24 h. The cytotoxicity against human lung cancer line A-549 for curcumin loaded NLCs was confirmed with positive control adriamycin (ADR).

Conclusion: Curcumin loaded NLCs prepared had a nanosize particle distribution with maximum entrapment efficiency. Dispersion stability was increased by the lyophilization process. The solid lyophilized powder is reconstituted for oral delivery.