Optimization of solid lipid nanoparticles of silymarin by using Box-Behnken experimental design

Objective To optimize the formulation parameters of solid lipid nanoparticles(SLN) of silymarin by Box-Behnken experimental design.Methods A three-factor and three-level Box-Behnken experimental design was employed using emulsion evaporation-low temperature solidification technique to prepare SLN with silymarin as model drug.Response surface methodology was used to investigate the factors affecting entrapment efficiency(EE),drug loading(DL),and particle size.Binomial mathematical model-optimized formulation was established with EE,DL,and particle size as response values.Results The optimal formulation was as follows: the amount of glycerol monostearate was 5.05%,the concentration of Poloxamer 188 was 7.25%,and the amount of drug was 15%.Conclusion The Box-Behnken experimental design could be used to optimize the SLN of silymarin.