Quercetin Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers-based Gel for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Formulation, Characterization and in vivo Evaluation
Present research work describes the development of potential topical treatment containing nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Quercetin (QCT) is a renowned flavonol useful as model drug for carriers. QCT loaded NLCs were prepared and evaluated for particle size distribution, polydispersity index, zeta potential analysis, in vitro drug release study. Ex vivo study was carried out to evaluate the effect of NLCs on cell proliferation (HIG-82 cell line) and inflammation (TNF-α induction in RAW264.7 cells). The QCT-NLCs showed mean particle size of 155.6 ± 1.8 nm and polydispersity index (PDI) was 0.236 ± 0.4, entrapment efficiency of 95.63 ± 0.14 % and zeta potential of -27 ± 1.2 mV. For the ease of application, NLCs were incorporated into the gel base and final formulation was evaluated for rheological study, texture profile, drug release and antiarthritic activity. QCT-NLC gel showed pseudo plastic flow behavior with excellent texture profile parameters. In vitro drug release studies showed that, QCT-NLC gel has more prominent permeation profile as compared with QCT-loaded gel. In vivo activity was carried out using Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritic model. Evaluation of the severity of rheumatoid arthritis was done by measurements of hind paw volume, arthritis score and haematological parameters such as rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP), red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and hemoglobin (Hb). Edema and erythema were not observed after administration of QCT-NLC- gel on the rat skin. In conclusion, the results of in vitro and ex vivo studies, QCT-NLC gel appears a viable formulation system for topical delivery of QCT in the treatment of RA.