pharmaceutics Article Increased Therapeutic Efficacy of SLN Containing Etofenamate and Ibuprofen in Topical Treatment of Inflammation Giuliana Mancini 1,2,Lídia M. D. Gonçalves 1 , Joana Marto 1 , Filomena A. Carvalho 3, Sandra Simões 1,*, Helena Margarida Ribeiro 1,* and António J. Almeida 1,* 1 Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal;
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[email protected] (J.M.) 2 LEF, Laboratórios de Estudos Farmacêuticos, 2730-269 Barcarena, Portugal 3 Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular ‘João Lobo Antunes’, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; fi
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[email protected] (A.J.A.) Abstract: Innovative formulations, including solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), have been sought to improve skin permeation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The present study explores the use of SLNs, prepared using a fusion-emulsification method, to increase skin permeation and in vivo activity of two relevant NSAIDs: A liquid molecule (etofenamate) and a solid one (ibuprofen), formulated in a 2% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose gel through the gelation of SLN ® ® suspensions. Compritol 888 ATO and Tween 80 were used as a solid lipid and a surfactant, respectively. All production steps were up scalable, resulting in SLNs with high encapsulation Citation: Mancini, G.; Gonçalves, efficiency (>90%), a mean particle size of <250 nm, a polydispersity index <0.2, and that were L.M.D.; Marto, J.; Carvalho, F.A.; stable for 12 months.