The Use of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Sustained Drug Release

Abstract

Novel solid lipid drug delivery systems such as solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) have attracted wide and increasing attention in recent years. It has been sought as an interesting alternative drug delivery carrier system for bioactives for a variety of delivery routes. They show major advantages such as sustained release, improved bioavailability, improved drug incorporation and very wide application. This paper presents a discussion on the production protocols of SLN, lyophilization of SLN and delivery of SLN across the blood–brain barrier. Special attention was also paid to entrapment and release of drugs from SLN and strategies to enhance drug entrapment in SLN for sustained release. Analytical methods for the characterization of SLN were also discussed. Various routes of administration of SLN were presented as well as a consideration of the ethical issues and future prospects in the production and use of SLN for sustained release of bioactives.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.