Development of a Quercetin-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier formulation for topical delivery

Abstract: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of Quercetin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (QT-NLCs) as a topical delivery system. QT-NLCs were prepared by the method of emulsion evaporation–solidification at low temperature. The average entrapment efficiency and drug loading of the optimized QT-NLCs were 89.95±0.16% and 3.05±0.01%, respectively. Under the transmission electron microscope, the nanoparticles were spherically shaped. The average particle size was 215.2nm, the zeta potential was −20.10±1.22mV and pH value of QT-NLCs system was 4.65. Topical delivery of QT in the form of NLCs was investigated in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that QT-NLCs could promote the permeation of QT, increase the amount of QT retention in epidermis and dermis, and enhance the effect of anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation exerted by QT. Then the mechanism of NLCs for facilitating drug penetration was further investigated through histological sections. In conclusion, NLCs could be a promising vehicle for topical delivery of QT. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]