Solid lipid nanoparticles the emerging approach in pharmaceuticals: An overview
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32947/ajps.v25i5.1270Keywords:
Biocompatibility, drug loading, innovative lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured drug delivery, stabilityAbstract
In recent years, great attention has been attentive to lipid-based drug delivery systems to concur with limitations associated with conventional formulations. Among these are solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) which are considered a promising delivery system because of the ease of manufacturing processes and scale-up proficiency, biocompatibility,
the biodegradability of ingredients involved in the formulation, and numerous additional advantages related to various routes of administration.
The present review provides insight into how SLNs are finding a role as promising nanocarriers and forms a comprehensive basis for overcoming problems related to traditional drug delivery systems. It also demonstrates variables affecting formulation, methods of preparation and evaluation, as well as routes of administration.
References
Martinho N, Damgé C, Reis CP. Recent advances in drug delivery systems. Journal of biomaterials and nanobiotechnology 2011;2(05):510.
Barratt G, Couarraze G, Couvreur P, Dubernet C, Fattal E, Gref R, et al. Polymeric micro-and nanoparticles as drug carriers. Polymeric Biomaterials, Revised and Expanded: CRC Press; 2001. p. 767-96.
H Muller R, Shegokar R, M Keck C. 20 years of lipid nanoparticles (SLN & NLC): present state of development & industrial applications. Current drug discovery technologies 2011;8(3):207-27.
Yoon G, Park JW, Yoon I-S. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs): recent advances in drug delivery. Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation 2013;43:353-62.
Bayón-Cordero L, Alkorta I, Arana L. Application of solid lipid nanoparticles to improve the efficiency of anticancer drugs. Nanomaterials 2019;9(3):474.
Chandni SV, Viral S, Umesh U. Solid lipid nanoparticles: a review. Journal of Current Pharma Research 2011;1(4):351.
Mohammed HA, Khan RA, Singh V, Yusuf M, Akhtar N, Sulaiman GM, et al. Solid lipid nanoparticles for targeted natural and synthetic drugs delivery in high-incidence cancers, and other diseases: Roles of preparation methods, lipid composition, transitional stability, and release profiles in nanocarriers’ development. Nanotechnology Reviews 2023;12(1):20220517.
Ramteke K, Joshi S, Dhole S. Solid lipid nanoparticle: a review. IOSR J Pharm 2012;2(6):34-44.
Araujo VHS, Delello Di Filippo L, Duarte JL, Sposito L, Camargo BAFd, da Silva PB, et al. Exploiting solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers for drug delivery against cutaneous fungal infections. Crit Rev Microbiol 2021;47(1):79-90.
Huang X, Chen Y-J, Peng D-Y, Li Q-L, Wang X-S, Wang D-L, et al. Solid lipid nanoparticles as delivery systems for Gambogenic acid. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 2013;102:391-7.
Ebrahimi HA, Javadzadeh Y, Hamidi M, Jalali MB. Repaglinide-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles: effect of using different surfactants/stabilizers on physicochemical properties of nanoparticles. DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2015;23:1-11.
Jenning V, Gohla S. Comparison of wax and glyceride solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN®). International journal of pharmaceutics 2000;196(2):219-22.
Westesen K, Siekmann B, Koch MH. Investigations on the physical state of lipid nanoparticles by synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction. International journal of pharmaceutics 1993;93(1-3):189-99.
Jores K, Mehnert W, Mäder K. Physicochemical investigations on solid lipid nanoparticles and on oil-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles: a nuclear magnetic resonance and electron spin resonance study. Pharm Res 2003;20:1274-83.
Manjunath K, Reddy JS, Venkateswarlu V. Solid lipid nanoparticles as drug delivery systems. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol 2005;27(2):127-44.
Mehnert W, Mäder K. Solid lipid nanoparticles: production, characterization and applications. Advanced drug delivery reviews 2012;64:83-101.
Azhar Shekoufeh Bahari L, Hamishehkar H. The impact of variables on particle size of solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers; a comparative literature review. Adv Pharm Bull 2016;6(2):143-51.
Subroto E, Andoyo R, Indiarto R. Solid lipid nanoparticles: Review of the current research on encapsulation and delivery systems for active and antioxidant compounds. Antioxidants 2023;12(3):633.
Anestopoulos I, Kiousi DE, Klavaris A, Galanis A, Salek K, Euston SR, et al. Surface active agents and their health-promoting properties: Molecules of multifunctional significance. Pharmaceutics 2020;12(7):688.
Gordillo-Galeano A, Mora-Huertas CE. Solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers: A review emphasizing on particle structure and drug release. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics 2018;133:285-308.
Mirchandani Y, Patravale VB, Brijesh S. Solid lipid nanoparticles for hydrophilic drugs. J Control Release 2021;335:457-64.
Mukherjee S, Ray S, Thakur R. Solid lipid nanoparticles: a modern formulation approach in drug delivery system. Indian J Pharm Sci 2009;71(4):349.
Hanumanaik M, Patel SK, Sree KR. Solid lipid nanoparticles: a review. Int J Pharm Sci Res 2013;4(3):928-40.
Trotta M, Debernardi F, Caputo O. Preparation of solid lipid nanoparticles by a solvent emulsification–diffusion technique. International journal of pharmaceutics 2003;257(1-2):153-60.
Shirodkar RK, Kumar L, Mutalik S, Lewis S. Solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers: emerging lipid based drug delivery systems. Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal 2019;53:440-53.
Buschmann MD, Carrasco MJ, Alishetty S, Paige M, Alameh MG, Weissman D. Nanomaterial delivery systems for mRNA vaccines. Vaccines 2021;9(1):65.
Mishra V, Bansal KK, Verma A, Yadav N, Thakur S, Sudhakar K, et al. Solid lipid nanoparticles: Emerging colloidal nano drug delivery systems. Pharmaceutics 2018;10(4):191.
Lingayat VJ, Zarekar NS, Shendge RS. Solid lipid nanoparticles: a review. Nanosci Nanotechnol Res 2017;4(2):67-72.
Kar NR. Advancements In Lipid Nanoparticles For Enhanced Drug Delivery: A Comprehensive Review.
Duan Y, Dhar A, Patel C, Khimani M, Neogi S, Sharma P, et al. A brief review on solid lipid nanoparticles: Part and parcel of contemporary drug delivery systems. RSC advances 2020;10(45):26777-91.
Reddy RN, Shariff A. Solid lipid nanoparticles: an advanced drug delivery system. international Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research 2013;4(1):161.
Kasongo KW, Müller RH, Walker RB. The use of hot and cold high pressure homogenization to enhance the loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency of nanostructured lipid carriers for the hydrophilic antiretroviral drug, didanosine for potential administration to paediatric patients. Pharm Dev Technol 2012;17(3):353-62.
Savale SK. Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN): A Nano-Drug Delivery System. Journal of PharmaSciTech 2018;8(2):1-8.
Duan Y, Dhar A, Patel C, Khimani M, Neogi S, Sharma P, et al. A brief review on solid lipid nanoparticles: part and parcel of contemporary drug delivery systems. RSC Adv 2020; 10: 26777–91. The Royal Society of Chemistry. Available from: https://pubs. rsc. org/en ….
Garud A, Singh D, Garud N. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN): method, characterization and applications. International Current Pharmaceutical Journal 2012;1(11):384-93.
Chirio D, Peira E, Sapino S, Dianzani C, Barge A, Muntoni E, et al. Stearoyl-chitosan coated nanoparticles obtained by microemulsion cold dilution technique. Int J Mol Sci 2018;19(12):3833.
Shah RM, Malherbe F, Eldridge D, Palombo EA, Harding IH. Physicochemical characterization of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) prepared by a novel microemulsion technique. J Colloid Interface Sci 2014;428:286-94.
Pulipaka S, Kumar MR, Sriram P, Suttee A. A review on nano drug delivery systems of herbal medicine. J Emerg Technol Innov Res 2021;8(2):1569-92.
Poozesh S, Bilgili E. Scale-up of pharmaceutical spray drying using scale-up rules: A review. International Journal of Pharmaceutics 2019;562:271-92.
Fameau A-L, Ventureira J, Novales B, Douliez J-P. Foaming and emulsifying properties of fatty acids neutralized by tetrabutylammonium hydroxide. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects 2012;403:87-95.
Bianco MA, Gallarate M, Trotta M, Battaglia LS. Amphotericin B loaded SLN prepared with the coacervation technique. J DRUG DELIV SCI TEC 2010;20:187-91.
Ganesan P, Narayanasamy D. Lipid nanoparticles: Different preparation techniques, characterization, hurdles, and strategies for the production of solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers for oral drug delivery. Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy 2017;6:37-56.
Lovskaya D, Lebedev A, Menshutina N. Aerogels as drug delivery systems: In vitro and in vivo evaluations. The Journal of Supercritical Fluids 2015;106:115-21.
Rao JP, Geckeler KE. Polymer nanoparticles: Preparation techniques and size-control parameters. Progress in polymer science 2011;36(7):887-913.
Parhi R, Suresh P. Production of solid lipid nanoparticles-drug loading and release mechanism. J Chem Pharm Res 2010;2(1):211-27.
Duong V-A, Nguyen T-T-L, Maeng H-J. Preparation of solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers for drug delivery and the effects of preparation parameters of solvent injection method. Molecules 2020;25(20):4781.
Naseri N, Valizadeh H, Zakeri-Milani P. Solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers: structure, preparation and application. Adv Pharm Bull 2015;5(3):305.
Patidar A, Thakur DS, Kumar P, Verma J. A review on novel lipid based nanocarriers. Int J Pharm Pharm Sci 2010;2(4):30-5.
Xu L, Wang X, Liu Y, Yang G, Falconer RJ, Zhao C-X. Lipid nanoparticles for drug delivery. Advanced NanoBiomed Research 2022;2(2):2100109.
Amoabediny G, Haghiralsadat F, Naderinezhad S, Helder MN, Akhoundi Kharanaghi E, Mohammadnejad Arough J, et al. Overview of preparation methods of polymeric and lipid-based (niosome, solid lipid, liposome) nanoparticles: A comprehensive review. International Journal of Polymeric Materials and Polymeric Biomaterials 2018;67(6):383-400.
Attama AA, Momoh MA, Builders PF. Lipid nanoparticulate drug delivery systems: a revolution in dosage form design and development. Recent advances in novel drug carrier systems 2012;5:107-40.
Akbari J, Saeedi M, Ahmadi F, Hashemi SMH, Babaei A, Yaddollahi S, et al. Solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers: A review of the methods of manufacture and routes of administration. Pharm Dev Technol 2022;27(5):525-44.
Kathe N, Henriksen B, Chauhan H. Physicochemical characterization techniques for solid lipid nanoparticles: principles and limitations. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 2014;40(12):1565-75.
Andonova V, Peneva P. Characterization methods for solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC). Curr Pharm Des 2017;23(43):6630-42.
Patra JK, Das G, Fraceto LF, Campos EVR, Rodriguez-Torres MdP, Acosta-Torres LS, et al. Nano based drug delivery systems: recent developments and future prospects. Journal of nanobiotechnology 2018;16:1-33.
Mitchell MJ, Billingsley MM, Haley RM, Wechsler ME, Peppas NA, Langer R. Engineering precision nanoparticles for drug delivery. Nature reviews drug discovery 2021;20(2):101-24.
Mehta M, Bui TA, Yang X, Aksoy Y, Goldys EM, Deng W. Lipid-based nanoparticles for drug/gene delivery: An overview of the production techniques and difficulties encountered in their industrial development. ACS Materials Au 2023;3(6):600-19.
Wang W, Chen T, Xu H, Ren B, Cheng X, Qi R, et al. Curcumin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles enhanced anticancer efficiency in breast cancer. Molecules 2018;23(7):1578.
Kumar CS, Thangam R, Mary SA, Kannan PR, Arun G, Madhan B. Targeted delivery and apoptosis induction of trans-resveratrol-ferulic acid loaded chitosan coated folic acid conjugate solid lipid nanoparticles in colon cancer cells. Carbohydrate Polymers 2020;231:115682.
Geszke-Moritz M, Moritz M. Solid lipid nanoparticles as attractive drug vehicles: Composition, properties and therapeutic strategies. Materials Science and Engineering: C 2016;68:982-94.
Pardeshi C, Rajput P, Belgamwar V, Tekade A, Patil G, Chaudhary K, et al. Solid lipid based nanocarriers: An overview/Nanonosači na bazi čvrstih lipida: Pregled. Acta pharmaceutica 2012;62(4):433-72.
Nguyen T-T-L, Duong V-A. Solid lipid nanoparticles. Encyclopedia 2022;2(2):952-73.
Freitas C, Müller RH. Effect of light and temperature on zeta potential and physical stability in solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN™) dispersions. International journal of pharmaceutics 1998;168(2):221-9.
Iqbal A, Zaman M, Wahab Amjad M, Adnan S, Abdul Ghafoor Raja M, Haider Rizvi SF, et al. Solid lipid nanoparticles of mycophenolate mofetil: an attempt to control the release of an immunosuppressant. International Journal of Nanomedicine 2020:5603-12.
Gao S, McClements DJ. Formation and stability of solid lipid nanoparticles fabricated using phase inversion temperature method. Colloids and surfaces A: physicochemical and engineering aspects 2016;499:79-87.
Ghasemiyeh P, Mohammadi-Samani S. Solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers as novel drug delivery systems: Applications, advantages and disadvantages. Res Pharm Sci 2018;13(4):288-303.
Lin C-H, Chen C-H, Lin Z-C, Fang J-Y. Recent advances in oral delivery of drugs and bioactive natural products using solid lipid nanoparticles as the carriers. Journal of food and drug analysis 2017;25(2):219-34.
Qushawy M, Nasr A. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) as nano drug delivery carriers: Preparation, characterization and application. International Journal of Applied Pharmaceutics 2020:1-9.
Veni DK, Gupta NV. Development and evaluation of Eudragit coated environmental sensitive solid lipid nanoparticles using central composite design module for enhancement of oral bioavailability of linagliptin. International Journal of Polymeric Materials and Polymeric Biomaterials 2020;69(7):407-18.
Shaveta S, Singh J, Afzal M, Kaur R, Imam SS, Alruwaili NK, et al. Development of solid lipid nanoparticle as carrier of pioglitazone for amplification of oral efficacy: formulation design optimization, in-vitro characterization and in-vivo biological evaluation. J DRUG DELIV SCI TEC 2020;57:101674.
Mura P, Maestrelli F, D’Ambrosio M, Luceri C, Cirri M. Evaluation and comparison of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) as vectors to develop hydrochlorothiazide effective and safe pediatric oral liquid formulations. Pharmaceutics 2021;13(4):437.
Hassan H, Adam SK, Alias E, Meor Mohd Affandi MMR, Shamsuddin AF, Basir R. Central composite design for formulation and optimization of solid lipid nanoparticles to enhance oral bioavailability of acyclovir. Molecules 2021;26(18):5432.
Dhiman N, Awasthi R, Sharma B, Kharkwal H, Kulkarni GT. Lipid nanoparticles as carriers for bioactive delivery. Frontiers in chemistry 2021;9:580118.
Loxley A. Solid lipid nanoparticles for the delivery of pharmaceutical actives. Drug Delivery Technology 2009;9(8):32.
Almeida AJ, Souto E. Solid lipid nanoparticles as a drug delivery system for peptides and proteins. Advanced drug delivery reviews 2007;59(6):478-90.
Wang J-L, Hanafy MS, Xu H, Leal J, Zhai Y, Ghosh D, et al. Aerosolizable siRNA-encapsulated solid lipid nanoparticles prepared by thin-film freeze-drying for potential pulmonary delivery. International Journal of Pharmaceutics 2021;596:120215.
Pi C, Zhao W, Zeng M, Yuan J, Shen H, Li K, et al. Anti-lung cancer effect of paclitaxel solid lipid nanoparticles delivery system with curcumin as co-loading partner in vitro and in vivo. Drug Delivery 2022;29(1):1878-91.
da Rocha MCO, da Silva PB, Radicchi MA, Andrade BYG, de Oliveira JV, Venus T, et al. Docetaxel-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles prevent tumor growth and lung metastasis of 4T1 murine mammary carcinoma cells. Journal of nanobiotechnology 2020;18:1-20.
Carvalho FO, Silva ÉR, Nunes PS, Felipe FA, Ramos KP, Ferreira LAS, et al. Effects of the solid lipid nanoparticle of carvacrol on rodents with lung injury from smoke inhalation. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology 2020;393:445-55.
Lauterbach A, Müller-Goymann CC. Applications and limitations of lipid nanoparticles in dermal and transdermal drug delivery via the follicular route. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics 2015;97:152-63.
Schäfer-Korting M, Mehnert W, Korting H-C. Lipid nanoparticles for improved topical application of drugs for skin diseases. Advanced drug delivery reviews 2007;59(6):427-43.
Pardeike J, Hommoss A, Müller RH. Lipid nanoparticles (SLN, NLC) in cosmetic and pharmaceutical dermal products. International journal of pharmaceutics 2009;366(1-2):170-84.
Khan AS, Shah KU, Mohaini MA, Alsalman AJ, Hawaj MAA, Alhashem YN, et al. Tacrolimus-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle gel: Formulation development and in vitro assessment for topical applications. Gels 2022;8(2):129.
Fatima F, Aleemuddin M, Ahmed MM, Anwer MK, Aldawsari MF, Soliman GA, et al. Design and evaluation of solid lipid nanoparticles loaded topical gels: repurpose of fluoxetine in diabetic wound healing. Gels 2022;9(1):21.
Patel DK, Kesharwani R, Kumar V. Etodolac loaded solid lipid nanoparticle based topical gel for enhanced skin delivery. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology 2020;29:101810.
Panmand PA, Mahaparale PR, Shaikh MS, Mahaparale SP. Enhancing topical acitretin delivery: formulation and evaluation of solid lipid nanoparticles for efficient skin therapy through in vitro and ex vivo testing. Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology 2024:1-14.
Wissing S, Kayser O, Müller R. Solid lipid nanoparticles for parenteral drug delivery. Advanced drug delivery reviews 2004;56(9):1257-72.
Chinsriwongkul A, Chareanputtakhun P, Ngawhirunpat T, Rojanarata T, Sila-on W, Ruktanonchai U, et al. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for parenteral delivery of an anticancer drug. AAPS PharmSciTech 2012;13:150-8.
Rudhrabatla VP, Sudhakar B, Reddy KS. In vitro and in vivo assessment of designed melphalan loaded stealth solid lipid nanoparticles for parenteral delivery. Bionanoscience 2020;10(1):168-90.
Elbrink K, Van Hees S, Chamanza R, Roelant D, Loomans T, Holm R, et al. Application of solid lipid nanoparticles as a long-term drug delivery platform for intramuscular and subcutaneous administration: In vitro and in vivo evaluation. European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics 2021;163:158-70.
Balguri SP, Adelli GR, Majumdar S. Topical ophthalmic lipid nanoparticle formulations (SLN, NLC) of indomethacin for delivery to the posterior segment ocular tissues. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics 2016;109:224-35.
Sánchez-López E, Espina M, Doktorovova S, Souto E, García M. Lipid nanoparticles (SLN, NLC): Overcoming the anatomical and physiological barriers of the eye–Part I–Barriers and determining factors in ocular delivery. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics 2017;110:70-5.
Hamsika M, Gowda D, Vindru J, Moin A. Nanotechnology for ophthalmic preparations. Int J Curr Pharm Res 2016;8(2):5-11.
Nair AB, Shah J, Al-Dhubiab BE, Jacob S, Patel SS, Venugopala KN, et al. Clarithromycin solid lipid nanoparticles for topical ocular therapy: Optimization, evaluation, and in vivo studies. Pharmaceutics 2021;13(4):523.
Alhakamy NA, Hosny KM, Aldryhim AY, Rizg WY, Eshmawi BA, Bukhary HA, et al. Development and optimization of ofloxacin as solid lipid nanoparticles for enhancement of its ocular activity. J DRUG DELIV SCI TEC 2022;72:103373.
Shah S, Bhanderi B, Soniwala M, Chavda J. Lutein-Loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for ocular delivery: Statistical optimization and ex vivo evaluation. J Pharm Innov 2021:1-15.
Wadetwar RN, Agrawal AR, Kanojiya PS. In situ gel containing Bimatoprost solid lipid nanoparticles for ocular delivery: In-vitro and ex-vivo evaluation. J DRUG DELIV SCI TEC 2020;56:101575.
Rathi R, Sanshita, Kumar A, Vishvakarma V, Huanbutta K, Singh I, et al. Advancements in rectal drug delivery systems: clinical trials, and patents perspective. Pharmaceutics 2022;14(10):2210.
Khil NHS, Sharma S, Sharma PK, Alam A. Several Applications of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles in Drug Delivery. Curr Mol Med 2024.
Smith T, Affram K, Nottingham EL, Han B, Amissah F, Krishnan S, et al. Application of smart solid lipid nanoparticles to enhance the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Sci Rep 2020;10(1):16989.
Xing R, Mustapha O, Ali T, Rehman M, Zaidi S, Baseer A, et al. Development, Characterization, and Evaluation of SLN‐Loaded Thermoresponsive Hydrogel System of Topotecan as Biological Macromolecule for Colorectal Delivery. BioMed Research International 2021;2021(1):9968602.
Alajami HN, Fouad EA, Ashour AE, Kumar A, Yassin AEB. Celecoxib-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for colon delivery: formulation optimization and in vitro assessment of anti-cancer activity. Pharmaceutics 2022;14(1):131.
Sivadasan D, Ramakrishnan K, Mahendran J, Ranganathan H, Karuppaiah A, Rahman H. Solid lipid nanoparticles: applications and prospects in cancer treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2023;24(7):6199.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Iman Sabah Jaafar, Methaq Hamad Sabar, Noor Sabah Jaafar
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
