Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) containing nimesulide: preparation, characterization and in cytotoxicity studies

The prospect of improved cancer therapy using Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) as drug delivery system is promising. Several obstacles frequently encountered with anticancer compounds, such as poor drug solubility, are overcome by delivering them using SLN. Moreover, the intravenous administration of drugs into SLNs can potentially enhance drug blood circulation time and improve drug performance by inducing accumulation into tumours by enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. This paper deals with the development of SLN containing nimesulide, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with antitumour effect and low solubility in water. Here, SLNs carrying nimesulide were prepared and characterized, and the antiproliferative effect of drug-loaded SLN versus free drug on HT-29 and SW-480 cell lines was here evaluated. All the obtained systems possess colloidal size, ranging from 85 to 132 nm and negative zeta potential values. Moreover these systems show good loading capacity and drug release profile, and an in vitro antitumour activity comparable to free drug.