title: Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) versus solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) for topical delivery of meloxicam.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to develop nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) as well as solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and evaluate their potential in the topical delivery of meloxicam (MLX).
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of various compositional variations on their physicochemical properties was investigated. Furthermore, MLX-loaded lipid nanoparticles-based hydrogels were formulated and the gels were evaluated as vehicles for topical application.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results showed that NLC and SLN dispersions had spherical shapes with an average size between 215 and 430 nm. High entrapment efficiency was obtained ranging from 61.94 to 90.38% with negatively charged zeta potential in the range of -19.1 to -25.7 mV. The release profiles of all formulations exhibited sustained release characteristics over 48 h and the release rates increased as the amount of liquid lipid in lipid core increased. Finally, Precirol NLC with 50% Miglyol® 812 and its corresponding SLN were incorporated in hydrogels. The gels showed adequate pH, non-Newtonian flow with shear-thinning behavior and controlled release profiles. The biological evaluation revealed that MLX-loaded NLC gel showed more pronounced effect compared to MLX-loaded SLN gel.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It can be concluded that lipid nanoparticles represent promising particulate carriers for topical application.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, National Research Center , Cairo , Egypt .
authors.forename: Rawia M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Khalil
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abd-Elbary
authors.forename: Mahfoz A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kassem
authors.forename: Mamdouh M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ghorab
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Basha
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D004890:Erythema / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D000077239:Meloxicam; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012869:Skin Absorption; D013843:Thiazines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004337:Drug Carriers; D020100:Hydrogels; D008055:Lipids; D013843:Thiazines; D013844:Thiazoles; D000077239:Meloxicam