Solid lipid nanoparticles- A review

Abstract

Solid lipid nanopaticles were developed in early 1990s as an alternative to other traditional colloidal carriers like liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles and emulsions as they have advantages like controlled drug release and targeted drug delivery with increased stability. This paper gives an overview about the potential advantages and also the disadvantages of solid lipid nanoparticles, the excipients and all the different methods involved in their production including the membrane contractor method. Aspects of SLN stability and the influence of various excipients (used in SLN production) on stability with other secondary steps involved in their stabilization like freeze drying, spray drying etc. Problems associated with SLN production and instrumental techniques used in production are thoroughly discussed. Special attention is given to models of drug incorporation in SLN and the release pattern of SLN. Analytical methods involved in SLN evaluations are discussed in detail and the major applications of SLNs mainly targeted drug delivery are discussed.