Solid lipid nanoparticles comprising internal Compritol 888 ATO, tripalmitin and cacao butter for encapsulating and releasing stavudine, delavirdine and saquinavir

[Display omitted] ► The morphology of SLNs is spheroidal with shallow surface pits. ► For D4T, Compritol 888 ATO enlarges SLNs and enhances entrapment efficiency. ► For DLV and SQV, Compritol 888 ATO diminishes SLNs and reduces entrapment efficiency. ► The order of drug in the cumulative release percentage is D4T > DLV > SQV. ► The dissolution of D4T, DLV, and SQV shows the characteristics of sustained release. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) with complex internal phase were fabricated for formulating stavudine (D4T), delavirdine (DLV), and saquinavir (SQV). The lipids including Compritol 888 ATO, tripalmitin, and cacao butter were stabilized by l-α-phospatidylcholine, cholesteryl hemisuccinate, and taurocholate to form SLNs. The results revealed that the morphology of SLNs was spheroidal with shallow surface pits. An increase in the weight percentage of Compritol 888 ATO increased the average diameter of D4T-entrapping SLNs and decreased that of DLV- and SQV-entrapping SLNs. Preservation at 4 °C over 6 weeks slightly enhanced the size of SLNs. For a specific drug, an increase in the entrapment efficiency enlarged the nanocarriers. The order of drug in the average particle diameter and in the entrapment efficiency was SQV > DLV > D4T, in general. In addition, the dissolution of the three drugs from SLNs showed the characteristics of sustained release. The order of drug in the cumulative release percentage was D4T > DLV > SQV. SLNs containing Compritol 888 ATO, tripalmitin, and cacao butter are efficient in carrying antiretroviral agents for medicinal application.