Introduction: Studies have pointef to anti-inflammatory properties of atorvastatin. In this research, noisome nanoparticles have been used to increase skin penetration and drug retention.
Method: Atorvastatin niosomes were prepared using the sonication method. The effect of cholesterol: surfactant mixture ratio was investigated on physicochemical properties of nanoparticles. Studies have been performed on the morphological features, and characterization of nanoparticles. The toxicity of optimal formulation was investigated on a normal human fibroblast cell line. Different percentages of lavender essential oil were added to the optimal formulation gel, and skin drug delivery studies were performed.
Results: The optimal formulation had the optimum particle size, PDI, zeta potential, and EE%, which leads to higher stability and dissolution of atorvastatin in the body. Morphological studies conducted on properties of nanoparticles illustrated a spherical shape and no interference with other formulation components. No cytotoxicity was detected for improved formulation of nanoparticles, including atorvastatin. In-vitro skin permeation results indicated that gel containing 0.5% lavender essential oil atorvastatin noisome (Atrosome) could enhance the dermal delivery of atorvastatin where a higher concentration of atorvastatin can be detected in skin layers.
Conclusion: As evidenced by the results of this study, preparing nanoparticles from atorvastatin and adding essential oil to the final formulation exerts a positive effect on local drug delivery. Moreover, drug delivery with nanocarriers significantly increased the percentage of drug retention in the target site.
