Development of nanostructured lipid carriers loaded caffeic acid topical cream for prevention of inflammation in wistar rat model

Inflammation is a defensive response against invasion by foreign bodies, which need to be treated with safer molecules such as phytomolecules like caffeic acid (CA). This work aimed to formulate and evaluate topical cream with CA-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for anti-inflammatory action. CA-loaded NLCs were formulated by solvent diffusion method followed by preparation of NLCs loaded cream which was evaluated and characterized for various parameters including in-vitro release behavior and in-vivo acute anti-inflammatory effect in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema wistar rats model. The CA-loaded NLCs showed good results for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency, while 0.5% w/w cream had a significant anti-inflammatory effect when tested for the acute study. Furthermore, skin-irritation study was carried out on wistar rats and it was observed that the formulated creams did not produce any signs of irritation, edema, and erythema compared to the positive control group (0.9% v/v formalin group). Therefore, formulated NLCs loaded cream can be used as a safe and efficient acute anti-inflammatory agent and considered an alternative treatment strategy to existing formulations.