Solid Lipid Nanoparticle Technologies for Drug Delivery Systems
Summary
Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are submicron colloidal carriers formed from physiological lipids that remain solid at ambient and body temperatures. They combine the biocompatibility and controlled-release properties of lipid-based systems with the scalability and stability of polymeric nanoparticles. By tuning lipid matrices, surfactant compositions and production methods such as high-shear homogenisation and ultrasonication, SLNs achieve precise control over particle size, surface charge and drug-loading capacity. Their versatility enables encapsulation of hydrophobic and hydrophilic therapeutics, yielding enhanced bioavailability, sustained release and targeted delivery across oral, parenteral, topical and intranasal routes. Applications span oncology, neurology and antioxidant therapy, with current trends focusing on surface functionalisation to overcome physiological barriers and expedite clinical translation on a global scale.
Research from Nature Portfolio
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Research from all publishers
Recent studies have demonstrated SLNs’ promise for central nervous system targeting. A 2023 investigation developed valsartan-loaded SLNs labelled with a fluorescent probe for intranasal administration, resulting in spherical particles (~216 nm), high entrapment efficiency (~59 %) and sustained release over 72 hours. In vivo imaging confirmed superior brain localisation and mitigation of ischaemic damage compared with free drug. Another 2023 review of SLN encapsulation for active and antioxidant compounds highlighted how lipid selection, surfactant type and energy input govern crystallinity, entrapment efficiency and release kinetics, recommending high-shear homogenisation combined with ultrasonication for reproducible, stable carriers. A foundational 2018 overview characterised SLNs as emerging colloidal nano drug delivery systems, comparing formulation variables, surface modification strategies and administration routes to achieve controlled release and targeted delivery, thereby laying the groundwork for current innovations and clinical translation.
Solid Lipid Nanoparticle Technologies for Drug Delivery Systems publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in solid lipid nanoparticle technologies for drug delivery systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs): Submicron carriers composed of a solid lipid matrix dispersing therapeutic agents.
Surfactant: Amphiphilic molecule that stabilises lipid nanoparticles by reducing interfacial tension.
Entrapment efficiency: Percentage of drug successfully encapsulated within the nanoparticle core.
Zeta potential: Surface charge indicator reflecting colloidal stability of nanoparticle dispersions.
Polydispersity index (PDI): Dimensionless value representing the heterogeneity of particle size distribution.
References
- Brain-targeted delivery of Valsartan using solid lipid nanoparticles labeled with Rhodamine B; a promising technique for mitigating the negative effects of stroke. Drug Delivery (2023).
- Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: Review of the Current Research on Encapsulation and Delivery Systems for Active and Antioxidant Compounds. Antioxidants (2023).
- Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: Emerging Colloidal Nano Drug Delivery Systems. Pharmaceutics (2018).
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