Fabrication of Sulfasalazine-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles through Solvent Emulsification Diffusion Technique: Pharmaceutical and Stability Studies

Maqsood ur Rehman; Aziz ur Rahman; Zahoor Islam; Numan Khan; Ayesha Nazir; Akif Saeed

doi:10.70749/ijbr.v3i1.561

Authors

Maqsood ur Rehman Department of Pharmacy, University of Malakand, Chakdara, Dir (L), KP, Pakistan.
Aziz ur Rahman Department of Pharmacy, University of Malakand, Chakdara, Dir (L), KP, Pakistan.
Zahoor Islam Department of Pharmacy, University of Malakand, Chakdara, Dir (L), KP, Pakistan.
Numan Khan Department of Biotechnology, Northwest University of Agriculture and Forestry, China.
Ayesha Nazir Department of Pharmacy, Islamia University Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan.
Akif Saeed Director R&D, Collaborative Care of Diseases (CCD), Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i1.561

Keywords:

Sulfasalazine, Solid Lipid Nanoparticles, Entrapment Efficiency, Drug Loading, Sustained Release, Nanotechnology-Based Drug Delivery, Controlled Release, Nanoparticle Stability

Abstract

Background: Sulfasalazine (SSZ), a Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) Class IV drug, suffers from poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability, limiting its therapeutic efficacy. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) offer a promising nanotechnology-based approach to improve solubility, stability, and controlled drug release. Objective: To formulate and optimize sulfasalazine-loaded SLNs using the solvent emulsification diffusion technique, evaluate their physicochemical properties, and assess their potential for sustained drug release. Methods: Unloaded SLNs were prepared by varying lipid (stearic acid), surfactant (Tween-80), co-surfactant (PEG-400) concentrations, and stirring times. The optimized formulation (BFM-11) was used to load SSZ at various drug-to-lipid ratios. Zeta size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, entrapment efficiency (EE), drug-loading capacity (DLC), and in vitro release profiles were assessed. Stability studies were conducted at 5±3°C and 25±2°C for 30 days. Results: The optimized formulation (SFM-3) achieved a zeta size of 217.2 nm, PDI of 0.373, zeta potential of -38.72 mV, EE of 89.1%, and DLC of 2.87%. In vitro release demonstrated 21.46% release in the first hour with 92.31% cumulative release over 12 hours. Stability was maintained at 5±3°C but deteriorated at 25±2°C. Conclusion: Sulfasalazine-loaded SLNs improved drug solubility, stability, and sustained release, presenting a promising nanotechnology-based strategy for enhancing therapeutic efficacy.

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