Lipid-based Nanocarriers for Atorvastatin Delivery: Current Developments and Clinical Translation Prospects

Atorvastatin is a well-established first-line medication for treating dyslipidemia, but has significant drawbacks of low aqueous solubility, extensive first-pass metabolism, and limited oral bioavailability. Over recent years, lipid-based nanocarriers have emerged as a viable platform to improve atorvastatin's pharmacokinetic profile by enhancing solubility, facilitating absorption via the lymphatic system, and providing a controlled drug release profile. This review provides a comprehensive overview of four primary lipid-based delivery systems: solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), liposomes, and self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS), and their specific application to atorvastatin. Each type of delivery system is reviewed in detail, including composition, drug loading and release mechanisms, encapsulation efficiency, physical characteristics (particle size, surface charge), and in vivo performance. Comparative evaluations indicate that NLCs and SNEDDS achieve the highest bioavailability enhancements (up to five-fold) via improved solubilization and lymphatic transport, whereas SLNs provide superior stability and controlled release, and liposomes offer versatile encapsulation yet limited shelf stability. Additionally, this review integrates current competitive patent opportunities, formulation optimization strategies, and translational research findings from both preclinical and clinical studies. Collectively, these findings show that thoughtful lipid-carrier design can significantly improve atorvastatin's pharmacokinetic profile and ultimately enable the development of large-scale, patient-focused oral lipid formulations.