Lycopene-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier from carboxymethyl oil palm empty fruit bunch cellulose for topical administration

Abstract

A novel lycopene loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) was prepared using carboxymethyl oil palm empty fruit bunch cellulose (CM- OPEFBC), carnauba wax and palm oil. Presence of wax and oil in the lipid mixture aided in obtaining small uniform spherical particle size in the range of 16–22 nm having relatively small size distribution (polydispersity index <0.5). The NLC provide a better drug loading capacity of an active substance to penetrate easily through the skin after applied topically. The entrapment efficiency of lycopene was found to be 98% for all the formulations. The particle size, size distribution, and zeta potential of lycopene-loaded NLC stored at room temperature for 8 weeks did not show any significant changes, proving an excellent colloidal stability of the formulations. The lycopene-loaded NLC are better and advanced systems for the stability and delivery of lycopene in pharmaceutical industry.