ABSTRACT: To formulate and evaluate solid-reversed-micellar-solution (SRMS)-based solid lipid microparticles (SLMs) for intramuscular administration of gentamicin. SRMS formulated with Phospholipon® 90G and Softisan® 154 were used to prepare gentamicin-loaded SLMs. Characterizations based on size and morphology, stability and encapsulation efficiency (EE%) were carried out on the SLMs. In vitro release of gentamicin from the SLMs was performed in phosphate buffer while in vivo release studies were conducted in rats. Maximum EE% of 90.0, 91.6 and 83.0% were obtained for SLMs formed with SRMS 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1, respectively. Stable, spherical and smooth SLMs of size range 9.80 ± 1.46 µm to 33.30 ± 6.42 µm were produced. The release of gentamicin in phosphate buffer varied widely with the lipid contents. Moreover, significant (p < 0.05) amount of gentamicin was released in vivo from the SLMs. SRMS-based SLMs would likely offer a reliable means of delivering gentamicin intramuscularly.
Journal of Microencapsulation 01/2012; 29(3):296-307. DOI:10.3109/02652048.2011.651495