Shea butter (Vitellaria paradoxa) and Pentaclethra macrophylla oil as lipids in the formulation of Nanostructured lipid carriers

Abstract

Natural lipids obtained from plant or animal sources have become very useful in drug delivery due to their better biocompatibility and lower in vivo toxicity compared to synthetic and semi-synthetic lipids. Pentaclethra macrophylla oil and shea butter (Vitellaria paradoxa) have been evaluated as lipids in the formulation of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) using four surfactants (Tween 80, Span 20, sodium dodecyl sulfate and Plantacare® 2000). Nanostructured lipid carriers were prepared by high-pressure homogenization and characterized using photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), laser diffraction (LD), and zeta potential measurements. The optimal formulations were loaded with Cola hispida extract and the physical properties and in vitro antioxidant activities were evaluated. Stable nanosized lipid carriers were obtained using Tween 80 and Span 20 at the ratio of 1:1 as emulsifying agents. Formulations containing 2% w/w shea butter and 8%w/wP. macrophylla oil had the lowest particle sizes (131.467 ± 1.504 to 163.330 ± 1.909) and polydispersity index (0.143 ± 0.005 to 0.197 ± 0.018). The extract-loaded formulations were stable and demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) antioxidant capacity except for formulations prepared with carnauba wax which demonstrated significantly (p < 0.01) lower antioxidant capacity compared to the extract and the other formulations. The properties of the NLCs were influenced by the type and concentration of solid lipid used. Pentaclethra macrophylla oil and shea butter were valuable lipids in the formulation of nanostructured lipid carriers for the delivery of Cola hispida extract.