Release study of selected terpenes from nanostructured lipid carriers

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) as a delivery system for mono-(geranic acid), di-(forskolin) and triterpenes (ursolic acid). The influence of the actives chemical structure on their release profile were investigated along with the physicochemical properties of terpene-loaded NLC. The formulations were prepared by ultrasound homogenization method using modified beeswax as a solid lipid and caprylic/capric trigliceryde as a liquid lipid. The systems were stabilized by alkylopolyglucoside. The average particle size for formulations with geranic acid (NLCGA), forskolin (NLCF) and ursolic acid (NLCUA) was 101.1 +/- 0.4, 106.4 +/- 1.4 and 97.6 +/- 0.9 nm, respectively. In vitro release studies of the terpenes were performed at the 32 degrees C, using cellulose membrane (Spectra/Porn((R)) Dialysis Membrane) and PBS/ethanol mixture as a receptor solution. The obtained results confirmed a high physical stability of the formulations and showed that the achieved systems are suitable carriers for all, mono- di- and triterpenes. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.