Lipids as Biological Materials for Nanoparticulate Delivery

Lipid-based drug delivery has been an ever-growing field of research these last few decades right from its inception as fat emulsion(s) for parenteral nutrition in the past to the present day targeted delivery of drugs. Lipid-based nanosystems constitute liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), and self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS). Use of lipids for improving the bioavailability and solubility of drugs and advantages like biocompatibility, lesser susceptibility to erosion phenomena, and slower water uptake makes them the ideal choice for delivering therapeutics in a controlled and targeted manner. Present chapter comprehensively covers the available lipids and excipients including emulsifiers used in the preparation of these lipid nanoparticle their method of preparation and factors affecting their performance characteristics. Also included are the major characterization parameters, pharmacokinetic behavior, and ways to improve bioperformance and targetability of these nanomaterials. Safety issues and specialized application in gene delivery are also touched upon in the end.