Optimizing the Size of Drug-Loaded Nanoparticles Using Design of Experiments

Abstract

Nanoparticles formed from lipids are currently applied successfully to deliver drugs. The particle size of the nanoparticle system is an essential characteristic to enhance the entrance of the drugs inside tissues and cells. Using design of experiment is appealing to find the specific conditions to optimize particle size of drug-loaded nanoparticles. Authors of this chapter applied a fractional factorial design of half fraction 24-1 with levels between continue factors, finding statistically significant differences for two factors such as concentrations of drugs and type of solvent where the organic phase is dissolved. This design shows the optimization of a formulation of capsaicin in solid lipid nanoparticles. The chapter also includes information on methods to prepare solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), the variables involved, and a selection of studies about optimization of SLN formulations.