Effect of Concentration of Lipid with Surfactant and Ultrasonification Power on the Formation of Naringenin-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles

Abstract

Naringenin is a flavonoid found in abundance in natural plants, including citrus fruits, tomatoes, and grapefruit. Naringenin has a molecular weight of 272.26 and aqueous solubility of 43.83 ± 0.039 mcg/mL. It has a limited bioavailability due to its poor solubility thus limiting its application in pharmaceutical. This study was designed to determine the efficiency of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN) method in improving the solubility of Naringenin. Variables such as the concentration of lipid with surfactant and ultrasonification power were also studied to observe their effect on the formation of NRG-SLNs. This study was done using method of solid lipid nanoparticles. Initially, the Naringenin-Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (NRG-SLNs) were prepared in separate beaker for lipid phase containing stearic acid and aqueous phase containing distilled water with Tween 80. Both were brought to a temperature of 80ͦ C. Then, aqueous phase was poured and mixed continuously at constant temperature of 80ͦ C until a semi-transparent solution appears. The solution was then subjected to sonication for 10 minutes while maintaining the same temperature. The procedure was repeated with increasing concentration of lipid and surfactant and different sonication power. The samples were subjected to solubility study and encapsulation efficiency using Uv-Visible spectrophotometer. Zeta potential, particle size and polydispersion index were determined using Zetasizer. The sample was also studied for its short-term stability at room temperature for a period of 3 months. Based on the characterization, the maximum solubility of naringenin achieved was 0.8621 mg/ml, which improves from the pure naringenin. The particle size of NRG-SLNs ranged from 218 nm to 1030 nm with polydispersion index value of 0.611. The Zeta potential of the nanoparticles was -0.112 mV, which is nearly neutral. This method produces nanoparticles with encapsulation efficiency of 77.50 % to 86.21 %. The short-term stability of the NRG-SLNs was found to be good since there was only slight reduce in encapsulation efficiency with no change in colour of solution. The solid lipid nanoparticle method was successfully proven to improve the solubility and enhance the stability of naringenin, which is a lipophilic active ingredient.