Solid Lipid Nanoparticles

Recent advances in the development of nanocarriers have started a new era in Formulation Science. Among various nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) offer an attractive carrier system to conventional colloidal carriers, such as emulsions, microemulsions, self micro-emulsifying drug delivery system, micellar systems, liposomes, polymeric microparticles and nanoparticles.

SLNs mingle rewards of the conventional carriers along with circumventing some of their major disadvantages. SLNs are effortlessly made nanoparticles composed of biodegradable polymers of high stability devoid of significant toxicity as well as commercially economic and could incorporate wide variety of drugs for effective targeting. In a nutshell, they propose an extremely versatile platform for second- and third-order targeting of drugs. SLNs are novel lipid-based formulations constituted exclusively of biodegradable lipids such as highly purified triglycerides, monoglycerides, complex glyceride mixtures, hard fats or even waxes, which turn solid at room temperature.

Large-scale production of SLNs could be achieved in a cost-effective and relatively simple manner using high-pressure homogenization technique. Another approach for the production of SLNs is microemulsions or simply suspending the melted lipid in a solution containing surfactant with stirring and sonication. SLNs provide an excellent opportunity as an advanced drug carrier for oral delivery, topical administration, pulmonary administration, parenteral administration, gene delivery and potential adjuvant for vaccines.

The chapter covers the current state of the art related to formulation approaches for SLNs, drug encapsulation, loading efficiency, drug release and characterization of SLNs. Important aspects related to the commercial use of SLNs, such as status of additives, safety profile, acceptability and stability aspects, are also discussed.

Read the article on Solid Lipid Nanoparticles 

Jain A.K., Thareja S. (2020) Solid Lipid Nanoparticles.
In: Bhushan I., Singh V., Tripathi D. (eds) Nanomaterials and Environmental Biotechnology. Nanotechnology in the Life Sciences. Springer, Cham

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