Fatty alcohol containing nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) for progesterone oral delivery: in vitro and ex vivo studies

This study aims to overcome most of the obstacles that face oral administration of progesterone. Fatty alcohols (cetyl, cetostearyl and 1:1 mixture) containing NLCs were thought to be one of the most relevant systems based on progesterone drawbacks as acid sensitivity and poor solubility. Formulations were prepared characterized for physicochemical evaluation, in vitro release, in vitro stability in gastric fluid, short term stability, interaction possibility and ex vivo permeation studies. The results showed nanorange particle size with major influence of fatty alcohol concentration. In vitro stability in gastric fluid and release results suggested protection of formulation from gastric environment with controlling the drug release as a function of fatty alcohol concentration. Infrared and thermal analyses showed interaction among fatty alcohol, stearic acid and progesterone. Ex vivo results showed that formulations significantly (p < 0.05) permeated through duodenum when compared with suspension after 8 h. The results collectively indicated that the cetyl alcohol containing NLC was a potential drug delivery system for oral administration of progesterone.