Reeta - Rayat-Bahra Institute of Pharmacy, Rayat-Bahra University, Punjab, India
Rashid Mehmood - School of Materials Science and Engineering, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
Maria John Newton Amaldoss - School of Materials Science and Engineering, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia

Background:  Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) of sumatriptan succinate (SS) were prepared by using lavender oil.  In ancient days, lavender oil was used for the treatment of a migraine. The natural anti-migraine agent, lavender oil, combined with an anti-migraine drug such as SS in a nano-formulation, will be a practical alternative approach in migraine therapy.  Objective: NLCs of sumatriptan succinate were fabricated by using a natural anti-migraine oil (lavender oil), LECIVA-S۷۰, which is a specialized grade for liposomal dermatological preparation and designed for emulsion, fat infusions, nutraceutical formulations, and parenteral use. It contains ۷۰% phosphatidylcholine, which is not generally present in the regular soy lecithin. Methods: The central composite design technique was used to examine the relationship between independent variables and responses such as lavender oil and LECIVA-S۷۰. The dependent variables were Z-average (R۱), polydispersity index (R۲), and % entrapment efficiency (R۳).  The NLCs were prepared with the double emulsification technique.  The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry analyzed the drug excipient compatibility profile. The developed NLCs were characterized for particle size by using Mastersizer, Zetasizer, and transmission electron microscopy.  The membrane diffusion technique studied the in vitro drug release profile. Results: The mean±SD size of the NLCs ranged from ۴۱۱.۴±۳۱۱.۱ d.nm to ۳۹۸.۸±۲۴۲.۶ d.nm. The best formulation (SNE۹) demonstrated an average diameter of ۳۹۸.۸±۲۴۲.۶ d.nm, with the PDI of ۰.۲۱۶, and zeta potential of ۱۷.۱۸ mV. Conclusion: The optimized formula demonstrated the narrow size range, a satisfactory zeta potential, high drug loading, and reproducible drug release profile. The NLCs successfully retained the aroma of the lavender oil. According to ANOVA, the polydispersity index (R۲) is significant with the central composite design.

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), Zetasizer, Zeta potential, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)