Solid lipid microparticles: formulation, preparation, characterisation, drug release and applications

Abstract

This review details the properties of solid lipid microparticles (SLMs): a promising drug carrier system that has been until now rather unexploited. First, the advantages of SLMs compared with other drug carrier systems are listed. Then an overview of SLM manufacturing compounds and techniques is presented. A detailed discussion of the characteristics of SLMs follows, and includes the determination of particle size distribution, the determination of SLM morphology, the solid-state analysis, the determination of SLM drug loading and the factors influencing it. The in vitro drug release studies that have been carried out so far and the parameters affecting them are also described. Some preliminary in vivo aspects (in vivo drug release studies, biocompatibility studies and in vivo fate) are also considered.

A New Approach to Drug Therapy: Fc-Fusion Technology

“…The first strategy is depot formulations, which provide an extended drug payout from the site of administration into the systemic circulation, using polymeric and lipid microparticulate systems, in-situ depotforming systems and implants (refer to reviews [17][18][19]) that allow proteins and peptides ("the active drug") to be continuously released from the subcutaneous tissue for extended periods of time at sufficiently high concentrations to exert pharmacological activity. In general, therapeutic peptides or proteins in this approach require limited or no molecular engineering, as ideally the depot formulation protects against metabolism, and renal clearance is overcome by constantly releasing the peptide or protein into the circulation [17][18][19].…”

“…In general, therapeutic peptides or proteins in this approach require limited or no molecular engineering, as ideally the depot formulation protects against metabolism, and renal clearance is overcome by constantly releasing the peptide or protein into the circulation [17][18][19]. One example of an extended-release formulation of a small peptide is Exenatide extendedrelease (ER) (Bydureon ® , Astra Zeneca, for type 2 diabetes mellitus) for once weekly subcutaneous administration.…”

Encapsulation Techniques

“…In this case, solid lipid particles are smaller than the initial oil droplets, whereas with a temperature-controlled emulsification, solid lipid microparticles are of the same size as the initial oil droplets. Watersoluble substances can be encapsulated by forming a W/O/W prior to solvent evaporation or cooling (Jaspart et al 2005).…”

Formulation development and evaluation of the anti-malaria properties of sustained release artesunate-loaded solid lipid microparticles based on phytolipids

“…Solid lipid microparticles (SLMs) were developed in early 1990s and have since been considered to be promising drug carrier systems, especially with a view to give the incorporated active substance a sustained release profile (Jaspart et al, 2005;Pilaniya et al, 2011;Obitte et al, 2013).…”