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IOSR Journal of Pharmacy
e-ISSN: 2250-3013, p-ISSN: 2319-4219, www.iosrphr.org
Volume 2 Issue 6 ‖‖ Nov-Dec. 2012 ‖‖ PP.34-44

Solid Lipid Nanoparticle: A Review
Ramteke K.H1, Joshi S.A2, Dhole S.N3.
Department of Pharmaceutics, Modern College of Pharmacy (for Ladies),
Moshi, Pune 412105 Maharashtra, India

Abstract–– Solid lipid nanoparticles are at the forefront of the rapidly developing field of nanotechnology
with several potential applications in drug delivery, clinical medicine and research as well as in othervaried
sciences.
Solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) dispersions have been proposed as a new type of colloidal drug carrier system
suitable for intravenous administration. The system consists of spherical solid lipid particles in the nanometer
ranges, which are dispersed in water or in aqueous surfactant solution. It is identical to an oil-in-water
emulsion for parenteral nutrition but the liquid lipid (oil) of the emulsion has been replaced by a solid lipid,
i.e., yielding Solid Lipid Nanoparticles. Different production methods which are suitable for large scale
production and applications of solid lipid nanoparticles are described. Appropriate analytical techniques for
characterization of solid lipid nanoparticles like photon correlation spectroscopy, scanning electron
microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry are highlighted. Aspects of solid lipid nanoparticles route of
administration and their biodistribution are also incorporated. If appropriately investigated, solid lipid
nanoparticles may open new vistas in therapy of complex diseases.
Keywords–– Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), colloidal drug carriers, homogenization.

I. INTRODUCTION
Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) introduced in 1991 represent an alternative carrier system totradition
colloidal carriers such as emulsions, liposomes and polymeric micro and nanoparticles [1].Nanoparticles made
from solid lipids are attracting major attention as novel colloidal drug carrier forintravenous applications as they
have been proposed as an alternative particulate carrier system. The system consists of spherical solid lipid
particles in the nanometer ranges, which are dispersed in water or in aqueous surfactant solution. Generally, they
are made of solid hydrophobic core having a monolayer of phospholipids coating. The solid core contains the
drug dissolved or dispersed in the solid high melting fat matrix. The hydrophobic chains of phospholipids are
embedded in the fat matrix. They have potential to carry lipophilic or hydrophilic drugs or diagnostics [2].

Fig. 1: Proposed structure of SLN.

SLN combine the advantages of polymeric nanoparticles, fat emulsion and liposomes but
simultaneously avoid some of their disadvantages. They have many advantages such as good biocompatibility,
non toxic, stable against coalescence, drug leakage, hydrolysis, biodegradable, physically stable and good
carrier for lipophillic drugs [3]. There are major difference between lipid emulsion and liposomes. The basic
structure of a lipid emulsion is a neutral lipophilic oil core surrounded by monolayer of amphiphilic lipid. In
contrast, liposomes contain an outer bilayer of amphiphilic molecule such as phospholipid with an aqueous
compartment inside [4].

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Solid lipid nanoparticle: a review

Table no.1: Comparative properties of solid lipid nanoparticles, Polymeric nanoparticles,
Liposomes, Lipid emulsions
Sr. No. Property SLN Polymer Liposomes Lipid
Nanoparticle Emulsions
s
1 Systemic toxicity Low > or = to SLN Low Low
2 Cytotoxicity Low > = to SLN Low Low
3 Residues from No Yes May or may No
organic solvents not
4 Large scale Yes No Yes Yes
production
5 Sterilization by Yes No No Yes
autoclaving
6 Sustained release Yes Yes < or = to SLN No
7 Avoidance of RES Depend on No Yes Yes
size and
coating

1.1 Advantages of SLN
1. SLNs have better stability and ease of upgradability to production scale as compared to liposome.
2. In SLNs the lipid matrix is made from physiological lipid which decreases the danger of acute and
chronic toxicity.
3. Very high long-term stability.
4. It is easy to manufacture than bipolymeric nanoparticles.
5. Better control over release kinetics of encapsulated compound.
6. SLNs can be enhancing the bioavailability of entrapped bioactive.
7. Chemical protection of labile incorporated compound.
8. Raw material which are to be required are same as that of emulsion.
9. Large scale production is possible.
10. High concentration of functional compound can be achieved.
11. Lyophilization possible.

1.2 Disadvantage
1. Poor drug loading capacity.
2. Drug expulsion after polymeric transition during storage.
3. Relatively high water content of the dispersions (70-99.9%).
4. The low capacity to load hydrophilic drugs due to partitioning effects during the production process.

II. METHODS OF PREPARATION OF SOLID LIPID NANOPARTICLES
2.1.1 Hot homogenization technique
Melting of the lipid

Dissolution of the drug in the melted lipid

Mixing of the preheated dispersion medium and drug lipid melt

Premix using a stirrer to form a coarse pre-emulsion

High pressure homogenization at a temperature above the lipid melting point

O/W – nano emulsion

Solidification of the nano-emulsion by cooling down to room
Temperature to form SLN
The drug is dissolved or dispersed in melted solid lipid for SLN or in a mixture of liquid lipid (oil) and
melted solid lipid for nanostructure lipid carrier.In the hot homogenization method the lipid melt containing
drug is dispersed in a solution of the hot surfactant at same temperature (5–10 0C above the melting point of the

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solid lipid or lipid blend) by high speed stirring. This pre-emulsion is then passed through a high pressure
homogenizer adjusted to the same temperature generally applying three cycles at 500 bar or two cycles at 800
bars.
The hot homogenization technique can be used for lipophilic and insoluble drugs. As the exposure time
to high temperature is relatively short, many heat sensitive drugs can be safely processed. The technique is not
suitable for incorporation of hydrophilic drugs into SLN because higher portion of drugs in water during
homogenization results in low entrapment efficiency [5; 6].

2.1.2. Cold homogenization technique
Melting of the lipid

Dissolution /solubilization of the drug in the melted lipid

Solidification of the drug loaded lipid in liquid nitrogen or dry ice

Grinding in a powder mill (50-100 micrometer particles)

Dispersion of the lipid in the cold aqueous dispersion medium

Solid lipid nanoparticles

The first step of preparation is same as hot homogenization which includes dispersion or dissolving or
solubilisation of the drug in the melted lipid. Then the drug lipid mixture is rapidlycooled either by means of
liquid nitrogen or dry ice. The drug containing solid lipid is milled bymeans of mortar or ball mill to micron size
(50-100 micron) and these microparticles aredispersed in chilled emulsifier solution yielding a pre-suspension.
Then this pre-suspension is subjected to high pressure homogenization at room or below room
temperature, where thecavitation force is strong enough to break the microparticles to SLNs. This process
avoids orminimizes the melting of lipid and therefore minimizing loss of hydrophilic drug to aqueousphase.
Another method to minimize the loss of hydrophilic drug to aqueous phase is toreplace water with other media
(e.g. oil or PEG 600) with low solubility for the drug. Incomparison to hot homogenization, in cold
homogenization particle size and polydispersity indexare more. The cold homogenization only minimizes the
thermal exposure of drug, but it does notavoid completely it due to melting of the lipid/drug mixture in the first
step of preparation [7].
High pressure homogenization increases the temperature of the sample (e.g. 10-20ºC for
eachhomogenization cycle). In most of the cases, 3-5 homogenization cycles at 500-1500 bar aresufficient to
prepare SLN. Increasing the number of homogenization cycle or thehomogenization pressure resulted in
increase of particle size due to particle coalescence whichresulted from high kinetic energy of particles.
Advantages
 Low capital cost.
 Demonstrated at lab scale.
Disadvantages
 Energy intensive process.
 Demonstrated at lab scale bimolecular damage.
 Polydisperse distributions.
 Unproven scalability.

2.2 Ultrasonication or High Speed Homogenization
This ultrasonication technique is a dispersing technique, which was initially used for theproduction of
solid lipid nanodispersion. Ultrasonication based on the mechanism ofcavitation. In first step, the drug was
added to previously melt solid lipid. In second step, theheated aqueous phase (heated to same temperature) was
added to the melted lipid and emulsifiedby probe sonication or by using high speed stirrer or aqueous phase
added to lipid phase drop bydrop followed by magnetic stirring. The obtained pre-emulsion was ultrasonicated
usingprobe sonicator with water bath (at 0ºC). In order to prevent recrystalization during the process,the
production temperature kept at least 5ºC above the lipid melting point. The obtainednanoemulsion (o/w) was
filtered through a 0.45μm membrane in order to remove impuritiescarried in during ultrasonication [8]. Then
they obtained SLN is stored at 4ºC. To increase thestability of the formulation, was lyophilized by a lyophilizer
to obtain freeze-dried powder andsometime mannitol (5%) was added into SLNs as cryoprotector.

36


Advantages
 Reduced shear stress.
Disadvantages
 Potential metal contamination.
 Physical instability like particle growth upon storage.

2.3 Solvent emulsification-evaporation technique
In solvent emulsification-evaporation method, the lipophilic material and hydrophobic drug
weredissolved in a water immiscible organic solvent (e.g. cyclohexane, dichloromethane, toluene,chloroform)
and then that is emulsified in an aqueous phase using high speed homogenizer. To improve the efficiency of fine
emulsification, the coarse emulsion wasimmediately passed through the microfluidizer. Thereafter, the organic
solvent was evaporatedby mechanical stirring at room temperature and reduced pressure (e.g. rotary evaporator)
leavinglipid precipitates of SLNs [9]. Here the mean particle size depends on theconcentration of lipid in
organic phase. Very small particle size could be obtained with low lipidload (5%) related to organic solvent.
Drug + lipid are dissolvedin H2O immiscible solvent
Emulsification
In aqueous phase
O/w emulsion
Solvent evaporation
at room temperature
and reduced pressure
SLN

Advantages
 Scalable.
 Mature technology.
 Continuous process.
 Commercially demonstrated.
Disadvantages
 Extremely energy intensive process.
 Polydisperse distributions.
 Bimolecular damage.

2.4. Solvent emulsification-diffusion technique
In solvent emulsification-diffusion technique, the solvent used (e.g. benzyl alcohol, butyl lactate,ethyl
acetate, isopropyl acetate, methyl acetate) must be partially miscible with water and thistechnique can be carried
out either in aqueous phase or in oil. Initially,both the solvent and water were mutually saturated in order to
ensure the initial thermodynamicequilibrium of both liquid. When heating is required to solubilize the lipid, the
saturationstep was performed at that temperature. Then the lipid and drug were dissolved in watersaturated
solvent and this organic phase (internal phase) was emulsified with solvent saturatedaqueous solution containing
stabilizer (dispersed phase) using mechanical stirrer. After theformation of o/w emulsion, water (dilution
medium) in typical ratio ranges from 1:5 to 1:10,were added to the system in order to allow solvent diffusion
into the continuous phase, thusforming aggregation of the lipid in the nanoparticles. Herethe both the phase
were maintain at same elevated temperature and the diffusion step was performed either at room temperature or
at the temperature under which the lipid was dissolved. Throughout the process constant stirring was
maintained. Finally, the diffused solvent waseliminated by vacuum distillation or lyophilization [7].
Solvent + Water are mutually saturated

Add drug and lipid emulsion

o /w emulsion+ Dilution media (water) in the ratio 1:5 - 1:10
Diffusion of solvent to continuous phase

SLN

37


2.5 Micro emulsion based method
This method is based on the dilution of microemulsions. As micro-emulsions are two-phase systems
composed of an inner and outer phase (e.g. o/w microemulsions). They are made by stirring an
opticallytransparent mixture at 65-70°C, which typically composed of a low melting fatty acid (e.g. stearic acid),
an emulsifier (e.g. polysorbate 20), co-emulsifiers (e.g. butanol) and water. The hot microemulsion is dispersed
in cold water (2-3°C) under stirring. SLN dispersion can be used as granulation fluid for transferring in to solid
product (tablets, pellets) by granulation process, but in case of low particle content too much of water needs to
be removed. High-temperature gradients facilitate rapid lipid crystallization and prevent aggregation. Due to the
dilution step; achievable lipid contents are considerably lower compared with the HPH based formulations [4].

Melting of lipid

Add aqueous solution of drug to melted lipid

Add Surfactant and co-surfactant at a temperature above the melting point of lipid

Formation of clear w/o microemulsion

Formed w/o microemulsion is added to a mixture of water, surfactant
and co-surfactant under mechanical stirring

Formation of suspension of lipid particles

Wash with dispersion medium by ultrafiltration system

Solid lipid nanoparticles

Advantages
 Low mechanical energy input.
 Theoretical stability.
Disadvantages
 Extremely sensitive to change.
 Labor intensive formulation work.
 Low nanoparticle concentrations.

2.6 Supercritical fluid technology
This is a novel technique which recently applied for the production of SLNs. A fluid is qualifiedas
supercritical when its pressure and temperature exceed their respective critical value. Above the critical
temperature, it is not possible to liquefy a gas by increasing the pressure. The supercritical fluid has unique
thermo-physical properties. As the pressure is raised, the density of the gas increases without significant
increase in viscosity while the ability of the fluid to dissolve compounds also increases. A gas may have little to
no ability to dissolve a compound under ambient condition can completely dissolve the compound under high
pressure in supercritical range. Therefore, its solvation power is altered by careful control of changes in
temperature and pressure. Many gases like, CO2, ammonia, ethane and CH2FCF3 were tried, but CO2 is the best
option for SCF technique because, it is generally regarded as safe, easily accessible critical point [31.5ºC, 75.8
bar), does not causes the oxidation of drug material, leaves no traces behind after the process, is inexpensive,
noninflammable, environmentally acceptable an easy to recycle or to dispose off. In the SCF phase or this
technique generally use organic solvents (e.g. DMSO, DMFA) because they are fully miscible in SCF-CO2. This
technology comprises several processes for nanoparticles production such as rapid expansion of supercritical
solution (RESS), particles from gas saturated solution(PGSS), gas/supercritical antisolvent (GAS/SAS), aerosol
solvent extraction solvent (ASES), solution enhanced dispersion by supercritical fluid (SEDS),supercritical fluid
extraction of emulsions (SFEE). Mainly SAS and PGSS were used for SLN preparation [7].

2.6.1GAS/SAS
In this process SCF acts as antisolvent for processing solid that are insoluble in SCF. It exploits the
ability of SCF to dissolve in organic solvent and reduce the solvation power of solid in solution, thus causing the
solid to precipitate. At first, the near critical or supercritical fluid was introduced in a vessel containing an
organic solvent in which the solid material to be crystallized was dissolved which causes the intimate mixing of

38


the fluid and liquid resulting in liquid expansion and particle precipitation. A clear disadvantage of this
technique is the lack of control on the particle formation. A modification of SAS technique was used to prepare
lysozyme spherical nanoparticles, which combines both the atomization and anti-solvent process, by using
water/ethanol solution.
2.6.2 PGSS
In this process, the SCF was dissolved in liquid substrate, or a solution of substrate in solvent, or a
suspension of substrate in solvent followed by a rapid depressurization of this mixture through a nozzle causing
the formation of SLN. The great advantage of this process is that it produces particles of great variety of
substance that need not be soluble in SCF-CO2. Limitations are, care must be taken for thermolabile solute and
the final product may contain microparticles. Insulin nanoparticles are produced by this process, in which the
solvent used, was DMSO and the lipid mixture (tristearin, phosphatidylcholine, dioctylsulfosuccinate) were
atomized to produce insulin SLN (<500nm).
2.7Double emulsion technique
In double emulsion technique the drug (mainly hydrophilic drugs) was dissolved in aqueoussolution, and
then was emulsified in melted lipid. This primary emulsion was stabilized byadding stabilizer (e.g. gelatin,
poloxamer-407). Then this stabilized primary emulsion wasdispersed in aqueous phase containing hydrophilic
emulsifier (e.g. PVA). Thereafter, the doubleemulsion was stirred and was isolated by filtration. Double
emulsion technique avoidsthe necessity to melt the lipid for the preparation of peptide-loaded lipid nanoparticles
and thesurface of the nanoparticles could be modified in order to sterically stabilize them by means ofthe
incorporation of a lipid/-PEG derivative. Sterical stabilization significantly improved theresistance of these
colloidal systems in the gastrointestinal fluids [10]. This technique is mainlyused to encapsulate hydrophilic
drug (peptides).
2.8 Membrane contactor technique
It is a novel technique to prepare the SLN. In membrane contactor technique the liquid phasewas
pressed at a temperature above the melting point of the lipid through the membrane poresallowing theformation
of small droplets as indicated in Figure 2. The aqueous phase was stirred continuouslyand circulates tangentially
inside the membrane module, and sweeps away the droplets beingformed at the pore outlets. SLNs were formed
by the cooling of the preparation at the roomtemperature. Here both the phases were placed in the thermostated
bath to maintain the requiredtemperature and nitrogen was used to create the pressure for the liquid phase. The
influence of various process parameters (aqueous phase cross flow velocity, the lipid phasepressure, aqueous
and lipid phase temperature, lipid phase amount and membrane pore size) were studied. The membrane
contactormethod is also used for the preparation of polymeric nanoparticles, by methods involving
apolymerization of dispersed monomers (interfacial polymerization method) or a dispersion ofpreformed
polymers (nanoprecipitation method). The advantages of this process of SLNpreparation using a membrane
contactor are shown to be its facility of use, the control of theSLN size by an appropriate choice of process
parameters and it’s scaling up ability [7].

Fig. 2: Schematic drawing of the membrane contactor for the SLN preparation

2.9 Solvent injection technique
It is based onlipid precipitation from the dissolved lipid in solution. In this technique, the solid lipid
wasdissolved in water-miscible solvent (e.g. ethanol, acetone, isopropanol) or a water-misciblesolvent mixture.
Then this lipid solvent mixture was injected through an injection needle in tostirred aqueous phase with or
without surfactant. The resulted dispersion was then filtered with afilter paper in order to remove any excess
lipid.

39


The presence of emulsifier within the aqueous phase helps to produce lipid droplets at the site
ofinjection and stabilize SLN until solvent diffusion was complete by reducing the surface tensionbetween water
and solvent resulting in solvent.
Advantages
 use of pharmacologically acceptable organic solvent
 easy handling
 Fast production process without technically sophisticated equipment.

III. DRUG RELEASE FROM SLN
There are mainly three drug incorporation models which describe the incorporation of drug into SLN [7].
1. Homogenous matrix model.
2. Drug enriched shell, core shell model.
3. Drug enriched core, core shell model.

Fig. 3 Models of incorporation of active compounds into SLN:
(a) Homogeneous Matrix,
(b) Drug enriched shell with lipid core,
(c) Drug enriched core with lipid shell.

Homogenous matrix model or solid solution model with drug being present in amorphous clusters or
molecularly dispersed is mainly obtained when incorporating highly lipophilic drugs into SLN with using hot
homogenization technique or applying cold homogenization method or by avoiding potentially drug solubilizing
surfactants. In the cold homogenization technique the drug (in molecularly dispersed form) is dispersed in bulk
of melted lipid, then the mechanical force of high pressure homogenization leads to the breakdown of molecular
form to nanoparticles and giving rise to homogenous matrix model as shown in Figure 3a. Etomidate SLN
represents the homogenization matrix model.
The drug enriched shell with core shell model will be obtained when performing the production.
During the production, the drug partitioned to water phase. Upon cooling, the lipid precipitates first, forming a
practically drug free lipid core due to phase separation. At the same time, the drug re-partitions into the
remaining liquid-lipid phase and drug concentration in the outer shell increasing gradually. Finally drug
enriched shell crystallizes as depicted in Fig. 3b. The amount of drug partitioning to the aqueous phase will
increases with the increase of solubility of drug in the aqueous phase. Mainly two factors, increasing
temperature of the aqueous phase and increasing surfactant concentration, are increasing the saturation solubility
of drug in water phase. Tetracaine SLN were prepared by hot HPH shows drug enriched shell model.
A drug enriched core obtained when dissolving a drug (e.g. prednisolone) in the lipid melts at or close to its
saturation solubility. In this model, cooling of the formed nanoemulsion will lead to supersaturation of drug in
melted lipid and it further leads drug precipitation prior to lipid precipitation. Further cooling will lead to
precipitation of lipid surrounding the drug enriched core as a membrane as indicated in Figure 3c. Due to
increased diffusional distance and hindering effect of surrounding solid lipid shell, the carrier system shows
sustained release profile.

IV. CHARACTERIZATION OF SLNS
4.1 Measurement of particle size and zeta potential [4; 11; 12]
Photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) and laser diffraction (LD) are the most powerful techniques for
routine measurements of particle size. PCS (also known as dynamic light scattering) measures the fluctuation of
the intensity of the scattered light which is caused by particle movement. This method covers a size range from
a few nanometers to about 3 microns. PCS is a good tool to characterize nanoparticles, but it is not able to detect
larger micro particles. Electron Microscopy provides, in contrast to PCS and LD, direct information on the
particle shape. The physical stability of optimized SLN dispersed is generally more than 12 months. ZP
measurements allow predictions about the storage stability of colloidal dispersion.
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4.1.1 PhotonCorrelation Spectroscopy (PCS)
It is an established method which is based on dynamic scattering of laser light due to Brownian motion
of particles in solution/suspension. This method is suitable for the measurement of particles in the range of 3 nm
to 3 mm.The PCS device consists of laser source, a sample cell (temperature controlled) and a
detector.Photomultiplier is used as detector to detect the scattered light. The PCS diameter is based on the
intensity of the light scattering from the particles.
4.1.2 Electron Microscopy
Electron Microscopy methods such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission
Electron Microscopy (TEM) are used to measure the overall shape and morphology of lipid nanoparticles. It
permits the determination of particle size and distributions.SEM uses electrons transmitted from the surface of
the sample while TEM uses electrons transmitted through the sample.
4.1.3 Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
It is an advanced microscopic technique which is applied as a new tool to image the original unchanged
shape and surface properties of the particles. AFM measures the force acting between surface of the sample and
the tip of the probe, when the probe is kept in close proximity to the sample which results in a spatial resolution
of up to 0.01 nm for imaging.

4.2 Determination of Incorporated Drug
Amount of drug incorporated in SLNs influences the release characteristics hence it is very important
to measure the amount of incorporated drug. The amount of drug encapsulated per unit wt. of nanoparticles is
determined after separation of the free drug and solid lipids from the aqueous medium and this separation can be
done by ultracentrifugation, centrifugation filtration or gel permeation chromatography. The drug can be
assayed by standard analytical technique such as spectrophotometer, a spectroflurophotometry, HPLC or liquid
scintillation counting.

4.3In vitro drug release
4.3.1Dialysis tubing
In vitro drug release could be achieved using dialysis tubing. The solid lipid nanoparticle dispersionis
placed in pre washed dialysis tubing which can be hermetically sealed. The dialysis sac then dialyzedagainst a
suitable dissolution medium at room temperature; the samples are withdrawn from the dissolutionmedium at
suitable intervals, centrifuged and analyzed for the drug content using a suitable analyticalmethod.
4.3.2 Reverse dialysis
In this technique a number of small dialysis sacs containing 1 mL of dissolution medium are placedin
SLN dispersion. The SLN’s are then displaced into the medium.

4.4 Rheology
Rheological measurements of formulations can perform by Brookfield Viscometer, using a suitable
spindle number. The viscosity depends on the dispersed lipid content. As the lipid content increases, the flow
becomes non-Newtonian from Newtonian.

4.5Acoustic methods
Another ensemble approach, acoustic spectroscopy, measures the attenuation of sound waves as a
means of determining size through the fitting of physically relevant equations. In addition, the oscillating
electric field generated by the movement of charged particles under the influence of acoustic energy can be
detected to provide information on surface charge.

4.6 Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
NMR can be used to determine both the size and the qualitative nature of nanoparticles. The selectivity
afforded by chemical shift complements the sensitivity to molecular mobility to provide information on the
physicochemical status of components within the nanoparticle.

4.7 X-ray diffraction (powder X-ray diffraction) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
The geometric scattering of radiation from crystal planes within a solid allow the presence or absence of the
former to be determined thus permitting the degree of crystallinity to be assessed.Another method that is a little
different from its implementation with bulk materials, DSC can be used to determine the nature and speciation
of crystallinity within nanoparticles through the measurement of glass and melting point temperatures and their
associated enthalpies.

41


V. ROUTES OF ADMINISTRATION AND THEIR BIODISTRIBUTION
The in vivo behavior of the SLN particles will mainly depend on the following points:
Interactions of the SLN with the biological surroundings including: distribution processes
(Adsorption of biological material on the particle surface and desorption of SLN components into tobiological
surroundings) and enzymatic processes. Various administration routes are [13; 14]
5.1 Parenteral administration
Peptide and proteins drugs are usually available for parenteral use in the market. Since
theirconventional oral administration is not possible due to enzymatic degradation in GI tract.
Parenteralapplication of SLN reduces the possible side effects of drug incorporated with the increased
bioavailability.These systems are very suitable for drug targeting.
5.2 Oral administration
Controlled release behavior of SLNs is reported to enable the bypass of gastric and
intestinaldegradation of the encapsulated drug, and their possible uptake and transport through the intestinal
mucosa.However, the assessment of the stability of colloidal carriers in GI fluids is essential in order to predict
theirsuitability for oral administration.
5.3Rectal administration
When rapid pharmacological effect is required, in some circumstances, parenteral or rectal
Administration is preferred. This route is used for pediatric patients due to easy application.
5.4 Nasal administration
Nasal route is preferred due to its fast absorption and rapid onset of drug action also
avoidingdegradation of labile drugs in the GIT and insufficient transport across epithelial cell layers.
5.5 Respiratory delivery
Nebulisation of solid lipid particles carrying anti-tubercular drugs, anti-asthmatic drugs and anticancer
was observed to be successful in improving drug bioavailability and reducing the dosing frequencyfor better
management of pulmonary action.
5.6 Ocular administration
Biocompatibility and muco-adhesive properties of SLN improve their interaction with ocularmucosa
and prolong corneal residence time of the drug, with the aim of ocular drug targeting.
5.7 Topical administration
SLN are very attractive colloidal carrier systems for skin applications due to their various
desirableeffects on skin besides the characteristics of a colloidal carrier system. They are well suited for use
ondamaged or inflamed skin because they are based on non-irritant and non-toxic lipids.

VI. APPLICATION
6.1. Oral SLNs in ant tubercular chemotherapy
Ant tubercular drugs such as rifampicin, isonizide, pyrazinamide-loaded SLN systems,were able to
decrease the dosing frequency andimprove patient compliance [15]. By using theemulsion solvent diffusion
technique this antitubercular drug loaded solid lipidnanoparticles are prepared.
6.2. SLNs for topical use
SLNs used for topical application for various drugsuch as anticancer [16], vitamin-A [17], isotretinoin,
flurbiprofen [18].Using glyceryl behenate, vitamineA-loaded nanoparticles can be prepared. Thismethod is
useful for the improvement ofpenetration with sustained release. Theisotretinoin-loaded lipid nanoparticles
wereformulated for topical delivery of drug.Productionof the flurbiprofen-loaded SLN gel for topicalapplication
offer a potential advantage ofdelivering the drug directly to the site of action,which will produce higher tissue
concentrations.

VII. SLNS AS COSMECEUTICALS
The SLNs have been applied in the preparationof sunscreens and as an active carrier agent
formolecular sunscreens and UV blockers. SLNand NLCs have proved to be controlled releaseinnovative
occlusive topicals. Better localizationhas been achieved for vitamin A in upper layersof skin with glyceryl
behenate SLNs compared toconventional formulations [19].
7.4 SLNs as gene vector carrier
SLN can be used in the gene vectorformulation. There are several recent reports ofSLN carrying
genetic/peptide materials such asDNA, plasmid DNA and other nucleic acids [20]. The gene transfer was
optimized byincorporation of a diametric HIV-1 HAT peptide(TAT 2) into SLN gene vector. The lipid
nuclicacid nanoparticles were prepared from a liquidnanophase containing water and a watermiscible organic
solvent where both lipid andDNA are separately dissolved by removing theorganic solvent, stable and
homogeneously sizedlipid-nuclic acid nanoparticle (70-100 nm) wereformed. It's called genospheres. It is
targetedspecific by insertion of an antibody-lipo polymerconjugated in the particle.

42


7.5 SLNs in breast cancer and lymph node metastases
Mitoxantrone-loaded SLN local injections wereformulated to reduce the toxicity and improve thesafety
and bioavailability of drug [21]. Efficacy ofdoxorubicin (Dox) has been reported to beenhanced by
incorporation in SLNs.In themethodology the Dox was complexed withsoybean-oil-based anionic polymer
anddispersed together with a lipid in water to formDox-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles. The systemhas
enhanced its efficacy and reduced breastcancer cells.
7.6 SLNs as a targeted carrier for anticancer drugto solid tumors
SLNs have been reported to be useful as drugcarriers to treat neoplasm’s [22]. Tumour targetinghas
been achieved with SLNs loaded with drugs like methotrexate [23] and Camptothecin [24].Tamoxifen an
anticancer drug is incorporated inSLN to prolong release of drug after i.v.
7.6 Stealth nanoparticles
These provide a novel and unique drug-delivery system they evade quick clearance by the immune
system. Such nanoparticles can target specific cells. Stealth SLNs have been successfully tested in animal
models with marker molecules and drugs. Antibody labelled stealth
Lipobodies have shown increased delivery to thetarget tissue in accessible sites [25].
7.8 SLNs for potential agriculture application
Essential oil extracted from Artemisiaarboreseens L when incorporated in SLN, wereable to reduce the
rapid evaporation comparedwith emulsions and the systems have been usedin agriculture as a suitable carrier of
ecologicallysafe pesticides [26].

VIII. CONCLUSIONS
SLN as colloidal drug carrier combines the advantage of polymeric nanoparticles, fat emulsions and
liposome; due to various advantages, including feasibility of incorporation of lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs,
improved physical stability, low cost, ease of scale-up, and manufacturing. SLNs are prepared by various
advanced techniques. The site specific and sustained release effect of drug can better achieved by using SLNs.
Nanoparticles have been used extensively for applications in drug discovery, drug delivery, and diagnostics and
for many others in medical field. They are relatively novel drug delivery systems, having received primary
attention from the early 1990s and future holds great promise for its systematic investigation and exploitation.
We can expect many patented dosage forms in the form of SLNs in the future.

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