Solid lipid nanoparticles – characteristics, production, applications

Solid lipid nanoparticles – characteristics, production, applications

Poster

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are novel drug delivery systems which improve stability and bioavailability of drugs. Their advantages over other colloidal carriers such as nanoemulsions, liposomes, polymeric micro and nanoparticles are defined by their specific structure and composition. They are low toxic and suitable for different routes of application - oral, dermal delivery as well for parenteral delivery. Moreover lipid particles can provide controlled-release and drug targeting. SLNs are typically composed of lipid core and surfactant layer. The lipids used for the lipid matrix are biocompatible and biodegradable physiological lipids – free fatty acids, fatty alcohols, triglycerides, waxes. Lipid nanoparticles are prepared using different methods such as High pressure homogenization, Ultrasonication/High Speed Homogenization, Solvent Evaporation Method, Microemulsion Based Method. One of the advantages which offer these methods is the lack of organic solvent. Critical parameters are temperature, speed and time for stirring. The main pharmaceutical factors effecting stability and release kinetics of drugs from SLN are particle size, zeta potential, degree of crystallinity and polymorphism.