DEVELOPMENT OF NILOTINIB LOADED SOLID LIPID NANOPARTICLES AND OPTIMIZATION BY CENTRAL COMPOSITE DESIGN APPROACH

Objective: In current research, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) are formulated for the anticancer drug, nilotinib, to conquer the drawbacks associated with drug including low bioavailability and solubility. Methods: The formulation comprised of tripalmitin (lipid), poloxamer 188(surfactant) and glyceryl palmitostearate (cosurfactant) by solvent evaporation technique. The formulation and process variables of SLN were optimized by experimental design-Central composite design (CCD). The effect of drug to lipid ratio (A), concentration of Poloxamer 188 (B) and concentration of glyceryl palmitostearate(C), on particle size (Y1) and encapsulation efficiency (Y2) of SLN were evaluated. Three batches (F1-F3) of Nilotinib SLNs were formulated by desirability approach and evaluated. Results: The mean size of all the formulations ranged between 187–198 nm, PDI between 0. 291-0.652 and zeta potential between-21.8 to to-24.7 mV indicating the wide range of size distribution and stabiliity of the formulations. The total encapsulation efficiency of SLNs ranged between 85 to 86 %. The SEM analysis revealed the spherical shape of individual particles and PXRD results indicate amorphization of drug in SLN formulation. The drug release was continued for 24 h, indicative of controlled release drug delivery. Conclusion: From the above results it is concluded that the solubility and bioavailability of nilotinib is enhanced