Nanoparticulate carrier system: a novel treatment approach for hyperlipidemia

Hyperlipidemia is a prevailing risk factor that leads to development and progression of atherosclerosis and consequently cardiovascular diseases. Several antihyperlipidemic drugs are having various disadvantages such as low water solubility and poor bioavailabilty due to presystemic gastrointestinal clearance. Thus, there is a considerable need for the development of efficient delivery methods and carriers. This review focuses on the importance and role of various nanoparticulate systems as carrier for antihyperlipidemic drugs in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Some nanoparticle technology-based products are approved by FDA for effective treatment of hyperlipidemia, namely Tricor® by Abbott Laboratories (Chicago, IL, USA) and Triglide® by Skye Pharma (London, UK). Efforts to address each of these issues are going on, and should remain the focus on the future studies and look forward to many more clinical products in the future.