Poly (ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles loaded with indomethacin and Nigella Sativa L. essential oil for the topical treatment of inflammation

Indomethacin has a high anti-inflammatory potential and an acceptable efficiency for external application. However, indomethacin can cause several side effects. It is crucial to reduce the employed indomethacin dosage and accordingly associated side effects. Therefore, topical delivery of indomethacin is as an interesting strategy. Thus, we designed poly (ε-caprolactone) based nanoparticles loaded with the Nigella Sativa L. Seeds Essential Oil (NSSEO) and indomethacin to enhance analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of indomethacin. Nanoparticles were prepared by nanoprecipitation method. Prepared nanoparticles pre-stability study was also carried out. Nanoparticles size was ranged between 230 nm and 260 nm and zeta potential of nanoparticles was between – 20 mV and – 30 mV at pH around 6. Encapsulation efficiency of indomethacin and NSSEO within nanoparticles was respectively 70% and 84% while drug loading of indomethacin and NSSEO were 14% and 5.63% respectively. The size and zeta potential of nanoparticles was not changed significantly within 30 days of pre-stability investigation. Nanoparticles had a size in nano scale with round shape and a proper stability. Indomethacin and NSSEO were successfully encapsulated that would boost the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of indomethacin.