Enhanced skin delivery of aceclofenac via hydrogel-based solid lipid nanoparticles

The aim of the present study was to develop solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and formulate a hydrogel for enhanced topical delivery of aceclofenac (ACF). The SLN were prepared by the ultrasonic emulsification method and optimized on the basis of stirring speed and lipid content. The optimized formulation was characterized for particle size (189 ± 9.2 nm), polydispersity index (PDI) (0.162 ± 0.02), zeta potential (−32.51 ± 0.12 mV), entrapment efficiency (86.51 ± 2.46%), surface morphology, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In vivo performance of ACF-loaded SLN hydrogel showed prolonged inhibition of edema, as compared to that observed using plain ACF hydrogel, after 24 h. The results demonstrated that the ACF-SLN formulation for skin targeting could be a promising carrier for topical delivery of ACF.