Quality by Design Approach for Development and Characterisation of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles of Quetiapine Fumarate

Background: Quetiapine fumarate, a 2nd generation anti-psychotic drug has oral bioavailability of 9% because of hepatic first pass metabolism. Reports suggest that co-administration of drugs with lipids affects their absorption pathways, enhances lymphatic transport thus bypassing hepatic first-pass metabolism resulting in enhanced bioavailability. Objective: The present work aimed at developing, and characterising potentially lymphatic absorbable Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN) of quetiapine fumarate by Quality by Design approach. Methods: Hot emulsification followed by ultrasonication was used as a method of preparation. Precirol ATO5, Phospholipon 90G and Poloxamer 188 were used as a lipid, stabilizer and surfactant respectively. A3(2) Central Composite design optimised the 2 independent variables, lipid concentration and stabilizer concentration and assessed their effect on percent Entrapment Efficiency (%EE: Y1). The lyophilized SLNs were studied for stability at 5 +/- 3 degrees C and 25 +/- 2 degrees C/60 +/- 5% RH for 3 months. Results: The optimised formula derived for SLN had 270mg Precirol ATO5 and 107mg of Phospholipon 90G giving %EE of 76.53%. Mean particle size was 159.8nm with polydispersity index 0.273 and zeta potential -6.6mV. In-vitro drug release followed Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetics (R-2=0.917) with release exponent n=0.722 indicating non-Fickian diffusion. Transmission electron microscopy images exhibited particles to be spherical and smooth. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction studies ascertained drug-excipient compatibility. Stability studies suggested 5 degrees C as appropriate temperature for storage and preserving important characteristics within acceptable limits. Conclusion: Development and optimisation by Quality by Design were justified as it yielded SLN having acceptable characteristics and potential application for intestinal lymphatic transport.