Aim: The design and development of pranoprofen (PF) nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for topical treatment of local inflammation and pain.
Materials & methods: PF-NLCs were designed and optimized by central rotatable composite design. A physicochemical characterization was addressed. Release and skin permeation were performed in Franz diffusion cells. In vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy was assayed in mice and tolerance study in humans.
Results: PF-NLCs F7 and F10 provided sustained release, good stability and optimal skin retention avoiding systemic undesired side effects. Anti-inflammatory activity was enhanced, suggesting an improved efficacy as compared with standard formulation. No skin irritancy was detected.
Conclusion: Topical PF-NLCs F7 and F10 could be effective and safe new therapeutic tools for the treatment of local inflammation and pain. [Formula: see text].
Keywords: anti-inflammatory efficacy; dermal delivery; experimental design; inflammation; local action; nanostructured lipid carriers; osteoarthritis; pranoprofen; skin irritation; skin permeation.