Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: Technological Developments and in Vivo Techniques to Evaluate Their Interaction with the Skin

Abstract

Nanotechnology is an emerging science involving manipulation of matter at the nanometer scale [Stern et al, 2008]. Nanoscience research has shown remarkable growth over the past 10 years, which is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Discovery, development and implementation of nanotechnologies are driven by the social desire for smaller products with enhanced capabilities. As such, nanotechnology research and development has been increasing steadily. The discovery and development of nanotechnology is evident in food products, pesticides, consumer products and medicine. The application of nanotechnology to medicine is termed nanomedicine, which spans from nanodiagnostics to nanorobotic treatments and novel nanoparticle drug-delivery systems. The most prominent use of nanoparticles in medicine is the development of novel drug-delivery systems. The use of nanotechnology in drug delivery could revolutionize current therapies and is set for rapid advancements. This is due to the unique properties of nanomaterials, including large surface:mass ratio (i.e., large functional surface), ease in engineering tissue-targeted nanoparticles, and higher loading capacity due to reduced drug expulsion during storage compared with micro-sized systems, which increases their ability to carry natural and synthetic chemical compounds [Buse et al, 2010]. Although opportunities to develop nanotechnology based efficient drug delivery systems extend into all therapeutic classes of pharmaceuticals, the development of effective treatment modalities for the respiratory, central nervous system and cardiovascular disorders remains a financially and therapeutically significant need. Many therapeutic agents have not been successful because of their limited ability to reach to the target tissue. In addition, the faster growth opportunities are expected in developing delivery systems for anti-cancer agents, hormones and vaccines because of safety and efficacy shortcomings in their conventional administration modalities. For example, in cancer chemotherapy, cytostatic drugs damage both malignant and normal cells alike. Thus, a drug delivery strategy that selectively targets the malignant tumor is very much needed. Additional problems include drug instability in the biological milieu and premature drug loss through