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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
08:19
Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) for Intracellular Targeting Applications
Published on: November 17, 2015
Nanostructured Lipid Carriers in Drug Targeting: Characterization, Patents, and Recent Innovations.
Rabnoor Alam1, Nida Nehal1, Devika Unnithan1
1Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
|July 1, 2026
Summary
Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) offer improved drug delivery over conventional systems. This review covers NLC formulation, characterization, therapeutic applications, and future prospects in nanomedicine.
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Materials Science
Background:
- Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) represent a significant advancement over solid lipid nanoparticles and conventional drug delivery systems.
- Their unique blend of solid and liquid lipids enhances drug encapsulation, stability, controlled release, and biocompatibility.
- NLCs effectively transport both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, addressing a key limitation of previous nanocarriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of NLCs in drug delivery.
- To examine NLC design, formulation, and advanced characterization techniques.
- To discuss current and future applications, patent landscape, and challenges in NLC development.
Main Methods:
- Review of formulation strategies and characterization methods, including dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS).
- Discussion of Process Analytical Technology (PAT) for real-time monitoring and scale-up of NLC production.
- Analysis of recent patents related to NLCs, focusing on surface functionalization, hybrid systems, and combinatorial therapies.
Main Results:
- NLCs demonstrate superior encapsulation efficiency, stability, and controlled release profiles.
- Advanced characterization methods provide detailed insights into particle size, lipid crystallinity, and drug release kinetics.
- NLCs have shown promise in various administration routes (oral, transdermal, nasal, ocular, pulmonary) and targeted delivery, improving bioavailability and patient compliance.
Conclusions:
- NLCs are a versatile platform for enhancing drug delivery, offering improved therapeutic outcomes.
- Further research into formulation science, characterization, and patent analysis is crucial for advancing NLC technology.
- Addressing regulatory implications and translational challenges will facilitate the clinical adoption of NLC-based nanomedicines.
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