Fabrication of furosemide-loaded solid and nanostructured lipid carrier particulate system for the potential treatment and nursing care of hypertension

Abstract This study aimed to optimize the physicochemical and biological properties of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) to formulate stable and effective furosemide (FUR) nanoformulations for pediatric hypertension therapy, addressing the addressing challenges related to poor stability and low solubility. Based on solubility studies, Transcutol® HP and Precirol® ATO5 were selected for the preparation of SLNs and NLCs. The influence of surfactant combination on NP mean diameter, PDI, and zeta potential was examined meticulously. Nanoformulations were subsequently selected based on FUR loading, encapsulation efficiency, and release profile. In both SLNs and NLCs, employing Gelucire® 44/14 as a surfactant instead of Pluronic F68 or Tween® 80 significantly reduced the mean diameter and enhanced encapsulation efficiency and FUR release rate. NLCs demonstrated superior performance compared to SLNs, achieving approximately 90% FUR encapsulation (versus 80%) and 90% FUR release after 300 min (compared to 65%). All tested nanoformulations exhibited satisfactory physical stability at 4 °C after six months; however, there was a greater loss of FUR in SLNs (15%) than in NLCs (<5%). Furthermore, all chosen nanoformulations showed no toxic effects on HT-29 cells and could traverse the epithelial intestine, as indicated by HT-29 cell uptake studies. These promising results indicated that FUR-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers represent a promising drug delivery system for hypertension treatment and nursing care.