Abstract

NANOSTRUCTURED LIPID CARRIERS FOR ENHANCED DRUG DELIVERY: A REVIEW OF PREPARATION TECHNIQUES AND CHALLENGES

Kallis Xavier Dsouza, Revati Dharampal Sagare*, Fatima S Dasankoppa, Pratiksha Akki and Anvitha Welda Sequeira

ABSTRACT

Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) represent a significant advancement in drug delivery systems, addressing the limitations of traditional lipid-based carriers such as Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs). By integrating solid and liquid lipids, NLCs exhibit an irregular crystalline structure that enhances stability, improves drug loading efficiency, and minimizes early drug leakage. This unique architecture is particularly advantageous for enhancing the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs, facilitating prolonged and controlled drug release, and ultimately improving therapeutic outcomes. NLCs are versatile carriers that can encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, protecting sensitive compounds from degradation and allowing various routes of administration, including oral, topical, and parenteral. Ongoing research into NLC formulations aims to optimize their properties for targeted delivery, reduce toxicity, and improve the efficiency of drug release. Despite the challenges associated with formulation complexity, scalability, and potential drug compatibility issues, NLCs hold considerable promise for applications in cancer therapy, neurological disorders, vaccine delivery, and gene therapy. This review highlights the composition, preparation methods, advantages, challenges, and potential applications of NLCs, positioning them as a transformative technology in modern pharmacotherapy.

Keywords: Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs), Drug Delivery Systems, Bioavailability Enhancement, Controlled Drug Release, Lipid-Based Nanoparticles, Therapeutic Applications.