Exploring SLT80 nanostructured lipid carriers as a novel delivery system for curcumin: Thermal analysis of experimental and theoretical approach

Abstract

This study aims to develop a novel SLT80 nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) for the encapsulation and delivery of Curcumin (CUR). CUR is a potent therapeutic agent with poor bioavailability, limiting its clinical applications. SLT80 NLCs were prepared using a solvent evaporation method and characterized using experimental techniques (UV–Vis, FTIR, DTA, SEM, and TEM) and molecular dynamics simulations. Results indicated that the SLT80 formulation maintained a slow release of CUR over twelve days, with an encapsulation efficiency that varied with drug concentration and a particle size averaging 40.15 ± 2.23 nm. CUR, were nontoxic to Human Dermal Fibroblasts (HDF) cells at the tested concentrations. Molecular dynamic simulations indicated that the CUR-loaded NLCs exhibited a stable form with a uniform nano-sized spherical shape, confirming TEM results. UV–Vis spectra of CUR-loaded SLT80 nanoparticles exhibited shifted peak maxima, consistent with both experimental and theoretical analyses. Density functional theory (DFT) analysis indicates enhanced drug solubility in the presence of the NLC, with the most stable form of complex A exhibiting a dipole moment of approximately 68.76 Debye. Favorable binding energies (E_bin: 2.02 eV) between the drug and lipid carrier support this observation and predict successful encapsulation. The developed SLT80 NLCs demonstrated high encapsulation efficiency, sustained release, and enhanced bioavailability of CUR, making them a promising drug delivery system for therapeutic applications.