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Published:
Jul 11, 2026DOI:
10.4314/tjpr.v25i6.2Keywords:
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Main Article Content
Development of mucoadhesive solid lipid nanoparticles for enhanced oral bioavailability and antimalarial efficacy of artemether/lumefantrine
Abstract
Purpose: To report the development of mucoadhesive solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) to enhance oral bioavailability and antimalarial efficacy of artemether and lumefantrine.
Methods: The SLNs were prepared via hot emulsion–ultrasonication using a lipid matrix composed of dika fat (Irvingia gabonensis) and Phospholipon® 90H. Chitosan coating was applied to confer mucoadhesive properties and prolong gastrointestinal residence time. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were employed to determine the drug-excipient interaction and thermal properties of the nanoparticles, respectively. Antimalarial properties of the formulated nanoparticles were carried out in vivo using Plasmodium berghei-infected Wistar albino mice.
Results: The SLNs, formulated as individual and co-drug-loaded systems, achieved high encapsulation efficiencies (> 99 % for artemether; > 92 % for lumefantrine). Co-loading improved drug release compared to single-drug SLNs (artemether: 86.2 vs. 58.7 %; lumefantrine: 74.8 vs. 63.8 % over 6 – 8 h). The nanoparticles were spherical, with mean diameters 91.3 – 140.1 nm and polydispersity indices < 0.42. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and DSC analyses confirmed drug–excipient compatibility and stable incorporation of both drugs within the lipid matrix. In vivo evaluation in Plasmodium berghei-infected Wistar albino mice revealed a dose-dependent, statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in parasitemia for the SLN formulations compared to control.
Conclusion: Chitosan-coated SLNs offer a promising platform for oral delivery of artemether-lumefantrine, with potential to overcome current limitations in bioavailability and therapeutic consistency in malaria treatment.
