Design and optimization of simvastatin loaded solid lipid nanoparticles using full factorial design

In the present study solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) of simvastatin were formulated using glyceryl monostearate and stearic acid in the ratio of 1:1 by applying 32 factorial design. The SLNs were optimized to check the effect of melted lipid and surfactant concentration on particle size and entrapment efficiency. A total of 12 formulations were prepared and characterization parameters were studied. The optimized formulation was selected by studying the interaction between the factors using polynomial equations and 3D response plots. Particle size and percentage entrapment efficiency of optimized formulation were found 185.7 nm and 82.53, respectively. A higher drug release was obtained which best fitted to first-order kinetics. Finally it was concluded that glyceryl monostearate and stearic acid in combination helps in improving the quality of simvastatin loaded SLNs.