Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether-mediated nanostructured lipid carriers enhance trans -ferulic acid delivery by Caco-2 cells superior to solid lipid nanoparticles.

This work aimed to compare the performance of trans -ferulic acid-encapsulated nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) for transport by Caco-2 cells. The NLC particles (diameter: 102.6 nm) composed of Compritol ® 888 ATO, ethyl oleate, Cremophor ® EL, and Transcutol ® P were larger than the SLNs (diameter: 86.0 nm) formed without liquid lipid (ethyl oleate), and the former had a higher encapsulation efficiency for trans -ferulic acid ( p < 0.05). In vitro cultured Caco-2 cell transport was used to simulate intestinal absorption, and the cellular uptake of NLCs was higher than that of SLNs ( p < 0.05). Compared to SLNs, NLCs greatly enhanced trans -ferulic acid permeation through the Millicell TM membrane ( p < 0.05). This work confirms that NLCs have better properties than SLNs in terms of increasing drug transport by Caco-2 cells. This helps to comprehend the approach by which NLC-mediated oral bioavailability of trans -ferulic acid is better than that mediated by SLNs, as shown in our previous report.