SOLID LIPID NANOPARTICLES (SLNs) - AS NOVEL LIPID BASED NANOCARRIERS FOR DRUGS

This review is focused on various aspects of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) as novel lipid based nanocarriers with size range between 10 to 1000 nm. SLNs were introduced to overcome problems of polymeric nanoparticles. By putting forward physiological safe lipids in place of polymers to prepare lipid nanoparticles, a novel formulation technique came into light. An approach undertaken here is to focus on various production methods for preparation of SLNs, and their suitability for large industrial scale. In addition, wide pharmaceutical applications of SLNs in drug delivery are explored. Diverse instrumental techniques have been highlighted to characterize the physiochemical properties of SLNs. Various routes of administration of SLNs as drug carriers are logistically reviewed and discussed. SLNs may open new vistas in therapy of complex diseases like cancer. This chapter also focuses on the merits of the SLNs over other colloidal drug carriers.