Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: An Overview of Production Techniques and Applications

Lipids have been a matter of great interest for pharmaceuticals scientists over the last two decades especially for the effective delivery of drugs and bioactive components. Solid lipid-based nanoparticles (NPs), i.e., solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are colloidal carriers which comprise lipids stabilized with a suitable surfactant. SLNs constitute a hydrophobic solid matrix core coated with a phospholipid which enables them to accommodate hydrophobic drugs in the core with greater entrapment efficiency (EE) in comparison to liposomes. SLNs have combined advantages of emulsions, liposomes, and polymeric NPs put together. Owing to their favorable technological and biological characteristics, SLNs have been able to deliver many therapeutic substances with improved efficacy in terms of drug release, site-specificity, and stability. This chapter attempts to review the methods of preparations, evaluation, and applications of SLNs in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. In addition, the patents granted on lipid-based NPs and marketed cosmetic products thereof have been listed.