Formulation and Characterization of Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Composed of Solid Lipids (Cetyl Palmitate and Stearic Acid) and Liquid Lipid (Nyamplung Oil [Calophyllum inophyllum L.])

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are lipid-based drug delivery systems made from a mix of liquid and solid lipids, stabilized by surfactants. Nyamplung (Calophyllum inophyllum L) oil, rich in oleic acid (48.49%), has shown in recent studies to enhance wound healing and dermatological performance when used in formulations like bigels and hydrogels. The present study aimed to formulate and characterize NLC system composed of solid lipids (cetyl palmitate and stearic acid) and a liquid lipid (nyamplung oil) for effective drug delivery. Six different NLC formulations (I-VI) were prepared by varying the concentrations of cetyl palmitate, stearic acid, and nyamplung oil. The NLC formulations were characterized by assessing their pH, viscosity, particle size, and polydispersity index (PDI). The particle size analysis revealed that the majority of formulations had particle sizes below 1000 nm, which is consistent with the nanoscale range needed for NLC systems, while the viscosity values confirmed good consistency and homogeneity. Uniform particle production and stability were suggested by the monodisperse distributions shown by the PDI values. For all evaluations, the physical properties of Formulations I–III generally satisfied the required standards. Meanwhile Formula VI's particle size exceeded 1000 nm, indicating a less stable dispersion at that lipid ratio. Formulations IV–VI also showed acceptable physicochemical stability. Notably, the use of nyamplung oil contributed additional benefits, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, enhancing the overall therapeutic potential. The study highlights the use of locally available natural ingredients to innovate lipid-based delivery systems, offering promising applications in cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical formulations.