The tiny big world of solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers: an updated review

Abstract

Nanotechnology is currently a field of endeavour that has reached a maturation phase beyond the initial hypotheses with an undercurrent challenge to optimise the safety, and scalability for production and clinical trials. Lipid-based nanoparticles (LNP), namely solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid (NLC), carriers are presently among the most attractive and fast-growing areas of research. SLN and NLC are safe, biocompatible nanotechnology-enabled platforms with ubiquitous applications. This review presents a modern vision that starts with a brief description of characteristics, preparation strategies, and composition ingredients, benefits, and limitations. Next, a discussion of applications and functionalization approaches for the delivery of therapeutics via different routes of delivery. Additionally, the review presents a concise perspective into limitations and future advances. A brief recap on the prospects of molecular dynamics simulations in better understanding NP bio-interface interactions is provided. Finally, the alliance between 3D printing and nanomaterials is presented here as well.

Keywords:

• 3D printed nanocarriers
• coronavirus
• molecular modelling simulation
• nanoparticles nanotechnology
• nanomedicine
• nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC)
• solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN)
• targeted drug delivery
• routes of administration

Authors’ contributions

All authors listed have made a substantial, direct, and intellectual contribution to this work and have approved it for publication.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s). This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.