Solid lipid nanoparticles made of trehalose monooleate for cyclosporin-A topic release

Abstract The aim of this work was the preparation of solid lipid nanoparticles, based on trehalose monooleate, loaded with cyclosporin-A for potential treatment of psoriasis. Trehalose was esterified with oleic acid in order to obtain a more lipophilic compound suitable as a lipid matrix for the formulation of a new type of solid lipid nanoparticles. The ester formation was confirmed by FT-IR and 1 HNMR. The solid lipid nanoparticles, based on trehalose monooleate, were successfully prepared with and without cyclosporin-A, using the microemulsion technique. Further characterizations were performed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The drug release from the SLNs was then evaluated through the Franz diffusion cells, using both dialysis membranes and rabbit ear skin. With the aim to verify the localization of SLNs in the skin layers, additional investigations using confocal microscope and stripping tape test were carried out. Finally, a dermatological formulation, based of SLNs loaded with cyclosporin-A, was prepared and tested through Franz diffusion cells. The obtained results indicate the possibility of using these nanoparticles as vehicle of cyclosporin-A for topical treatment of psoriasis, reducing the side effects due to systemic absorption of cyclosporin-A and, at the same time, increasing its concentration at skin injury level.