Nanostructured Lipid Carriers: The Frontiers in Drug Delivery

Abstract

By the modification of solid-lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), the nano-structured lipid carriers (NLCs) were obtained by the modification of nanostructured that hold the qualities of the SLN, increases the stability of the drug, and prevents drug leakage. The limitations of the drugs that are delivered in the body using different routes are poor solvency, first pass metabolism, and poor bioavailability hence to overcome these limitations NLCs were prepared. Oral, topical, transdermal, ocular, and parenteral are the different routes through which nanobased systems are delivered. Spatially incompatible liquid lipids and solid lipids are blended and NLCs were prepared. It stays solid at room temperature. The advantages of for drug therapy over conventional carriers NLCs are increased solubility, improved bioavailability. This review describes about the NLC, its advantages and disadvantages, types, NLC techniques, mode of action, and applications of NLC. Imperfect, amorphous, and multiple types are the main three types of NLCs. Lipids, liquid lipids, solid lipids, Emulsifiers, ultraviolet (UV) blockers, and aqueous medium were the excipients used. Microemulsion technique, microemulsion based SLN/NLC preparations, solvent diffusion method, high-pressure homogenization (HPH), hot and cold homogenization techniques, and melt emulsification method are the techniques used for the preparation of NLC. The applications of NLCs are for ocular, brain targeting, topical, cancer therapy, cosmetics, and analgesia.

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN)

“…Temperature gradients facilitate the rapid crystallization of lipids and prevent Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.102536 aggregation. Due to the dilution step (1:25-1:50), achievable lipid contents are considerably lower than HPH-based formulations [52]. The particle size of the nanoparticles obtained varies from 50 to 800 nm [53].…”