Stearic acid based, systematically designed oral lipid nanoparticles for enhanced brain delivery of dimethyl fumarate

Aim: Dimethyl fumarate is a frequent prescription for the management of numerous neurological disorders. Despite immense promises, DMF is associated with various problems such as multiple dosing (2-3 oral doses daily) and lower brain permeability. Our aim was to enhance the oral bioavailability and increase the brain concentrations of dimethyl fumarate. Methods: Solid lipid nanoparticles were systematically formulated by optimizing the composition based on the desired attributes viz. particle size, entrapment efficiency and amount of drug released in 6 h. Results & conclusion: The developed system offered nanometric particle size with entrapment efficiency > 90%. Enhanced Caco-2 cells cellular uptake by optimized solid lipid nanoparticless with superior pharmacokinetic and higher brain biodistribution were observed.