An optimized formulation of flurbiprofen-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers was obtained by using central composite design-response surface methodol.The effects of formulation variables (amount of flurbiprofen, amount of lecithin, amount of Poloxamer 188 and Tween-80, amount of sodium deoxycholate) on a number of response variables were systemically investigated.The response variables were particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency and drug loaded.A desirability function that combined these four response variables was constructed.A second-order polynomial equation was fitted to the data, and the resulting equation was used to predict the responses in the optimal region.All the investigated response variables were found to be highly dependent on the formulation variables.It was found that the optimum overall desirability of the flurbiprofen-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers could be obtained at 0.222 g of flurbiprofen, 0.300 g of lecithin, 2.000 g of poloxamer 188 and Tween-80, and at 0.100 g of sodium deoxycholate.The exptl. values of the response variables highly agreed with the predict values.Central composite design-response surface methodol. was successfully used to optimize the preparation of flurbiprofen-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers.Overall desirability could be used to represent the most desirable variables in exptl. design.