Skip to content
2000
  1. Home
  2. A-Z Publications
  3. Micro and Nanosystems
  4. Volume 17, Issue 2
  5. Article
Volume 17, Issue 2
  • ISSN: 1876-4029
  • E-ISSN: 1876-4037

Abstract

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) offer a breakthrough platform for drug therapy, surpassing traditional limitations and delivering exceptional performance. Among various nanoparticulate systems, lipid nanoparticles stand out as one of the most promising options for medication delivery. NLCs stand out due to their solid matrix at ambient temperatures, setting them apart from conventional lipid-based carriers such as nanoemulsions and solid lipid nanoparticles. This paper thoroughly explores the makeup, classification, components, and various methods of preparing NLCs, based on extensive research findings. It emphasizes their numerous advantages, such as improved stability, minimal toxicity, extended storage capability, increased drug-loading capacity, and compatibility with biological systems. The review provides insights into the advantages and limitations of each method. Exploring the intricacies of drug loading and release, the review also addresses strategies to bolster NLCs’ stability. Moreover, it provides a detailed summary of both laboratory-based and animal studies demonstrating the efficacy of NLCs carrying cytotoxic drugs, particularly emphasizing their promise in targeted drug delivery to the brain. As the next-generation lipid nanocarriers, NLCs are composed of physiological and biocompatible lipids, rendering them novel pharmaceutical formulations. These colloidal drug delivery systems boast a solid lipid matrix with nanosized structures, offering superior drug loading capacity, physical stability, and bioavailability compared to conventional lipid nanoparticles. Several techniques, including high-pressure homogenization, microemulsion, solvent evaporation, and melt emulsification, add to the flexibility of nanostructured lipid carriers. Additionally, their exterior can be altered using coatings such as polyethylene glycol, chitosan, or antibodies to improve targeting ability and stealth characteristics. By elucidating the promising role of NLCs across diverse drug delivery systems, this review stimulates interest in their potential applications. It underscores the significance of understanding the structure, content, multiple formulation procedures, and characterization of NLCs, which are pivotal aspects for establishing stable drug delivery systems.

© 2025 Bentham Science Publishers
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/mns/10.2174/0118764029322000240925065749
2024-10-11
2025-06-22

  • From This Site

    /content/journals/mns/10.2174/0118764029322000240925065749
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. WangH. LiuS. JiaL. ChuF. ZhouY. HeZ. GuoM. ChenC. XuL. Nanostructured lipid carriers for MicroRNA delivery in tumor gene therapy.Cancer Cell Int.201818110110.1186/s12935‑018‑0596‑x30008618
     [Google Scholar]
  2. IqbalM.A. MdS. SahniJ.K. BabootaS. DangS. AliJ. Nanostructured lipid carriers system: Recent advances in drug delivery.J. Drug Target.2012201081383010.3109/1061186X.2012.71684522931500
     [Google Scholar]
  3. FangC.L. Al-SuwayehS.A. FangJ.Y. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for drug delivery and targeting.Recent Pat. Nanotechnol.201371415510.2174/18722101380448482722946628
     [Google Scholar]
  4. HaiderM. AbdinS.M. KamalL. OriveG. Nanostructured lipid carriers for delivery of chemotherapeutics: A review.Pharmaceutics202012328810.3390/pharmaceutics1203028832210127
     [Google Scholar]
  5. SubramaniamB. SiddikZ.H. NagoorN.H. Optimization of nanostructured lipid carriers: Understanding the types, designs, and parameters in the process of formulations.J. Nanopart. Res.202022614110.1007/s11051‑020‑04848‑0
     [Google Scholar]
  6. GomaaE. FathiH.A. EissaN.G. ElsabahyM. Methods for preparation of nanostructured lipid carriers.Methods20221993810.1016/j.ymeth.2021.05.00333992771
     [Google Scholar]
  7. MüllerR.H. AlexievU. SinambelaP. KeckC.M. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC): The second generation of solid lipid nanoparticles. Percutaneous Penetration Enhancers Chemical Methods in Penetration EnhancementChamSpringer2016161185
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Abdel-MageedH.M. Abd El AzizA.E. MohamedS.A. AbuelEzzN.Z. The tiny big world of solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers: An updated review.J. Microencapsul.2022391729410.1080/02652048.2021.202130734958628
     [Google Scholar]
  9. PooniaN. KharbR. LatherV. PanditaD. Nanostructured lipid carriers: Versatile oral delivery vehicle.Future Sci. OA201623FSO13510.4155/fsoa‑2016‑003028031979
     [Google Scholar]
  10. NarangJ.K. KhanS. BabootaS. AliJ. KhanS. NarangR. Nanostructured lipid carriers: An emerging platform for improving oral bioavailability of lipophilic drugs.Int. J. Pharm. Investig.20155418219110.4103/2230‑973X.16766126682188
     [Google Scholar]
  11. DuongV.A. NguyenT.T.L. MaengH.J. Preparation of solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers for drug delivery and the effects of preparation parameters of solvent injection method.Molecules20202520478110.3390/molecules2520478133081021
     [Google Scholar]
  12. ShirodkarR.K. KumarL. MutalikS. LewisS. Solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers: Emerging lipid based drug delivery systems.Pharm. Chem. J.201953544045310.1007/s11094‑019‑02017‑9
     [Google Scholar]
  13. DoktorovováS. KovačevićA.B. GarciaM.L. SoutoE.B. Preclinical safety of solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers: Current evidence from in vitro and in vivo evaluation.Eur. J. Pharm. Biopharm.201610823525210.1016/j.ejpb.2016.08.00127519829
     [Google Scholar]
  14. AkbariJ. SaeediM. AhmadiF. HashemiS.M.H. BabaeiA. YaddollahiS. RostamkalaeiS.S. Asare-AddoK. NokhodchiA. Solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers: A review of the methods of manufacture and routes of administration.Pharm. Dev. Technol.202227552554410.1080/10837450.2022.208455435635506
     [Google Scholar]
  15. ViegasC. PatrícioA.B. PrataJ.M. NadhmanA. ChintamaneniP.K. FonteP. Solid lipid nanoparticles vs. nanostructured lipid carriers: A comparative review.Pharmaceutics2023156159310.3390/pharmaceutics1506159337376042
     [Google Scholar]
  16. PatilT.S. DeshpandeA.S. Nanostructured lipid carriers-based drug delivery for treating various lung diseases: A State‐of‐the‐Art Review.Int. J. Pharm.20185471-220922510.1016/j.ijpharm.2018.05.07029859922
     [Google Scholar]
  17. BeloquiA. del Pozo-RodríguezA. IslaA. Rodríguez-GascónA. SolinísM.Á. Nanostructured lipid carriers as oral delivery systems for poorly soluble drugs.J. Drug Deliv. Sci. Technol.20174214415410.1016/j.jddst.2017.06.013
     [Google Scholar]
  18. VitorinoC. AlmeidaA. SousaJ. LamarcheI. GobinP. MarchandS. CouetW. OlivierJ.C. PaisA. Passive and active strategies for transdermal delivery using co-encapsulating nanostructured lipid carriers: In vitro vs. in vivo studies.Eur. J. Pharm. Biopharm.201486213314410.1016/j.ejpb.2013.12.00424333401
     [Google Scholar]
  19. PatelP. PatelM. Nanostructured lipid carriers-a versatile carrier for oral delivery of lipophilic drugs.Recent Pat. Nanotechnol.202115215416410.2174/187221051466620090915495932912129
     [Google Scholar]
  20. UnerM. Preparation, characterization and physico-chemical properties of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC): Their benefits as colloidal drug carrier systems.Pharmazie2006612537586
     [Google Scholar]
  21. LuanJ. ZhengF. YangX. YuA. ZhaiG. Nanostructured lipid carriers for oral delivery of baicalin: In vitro and in vivo evaluation.Colloids Surf. A Physicochem. Eng. Asp.201546615415910.1016/j.colsurfa.2014.11.015
     [Google Scholar]
  22. SalviV.R. PawarP. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) system: A novel drug targeting carrier.J. Drug Deliv. Sci. Technol.20195125526710.1016/j.jddst.2019.02.017
     [Google Scholar]
  23. Mohammadi-SamaniS. GhasemiyehP. Solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers as novel drug delivery systems: Applications, advantages and disadvantages.Res. Pharm. Sci.201813428830310.4103/1735‑5362.23515630065762
     [Google Scholar]
  24. GabaB. FazilM. AliA. BabootaS. SahniJ.K. AliJ. Nanostructured lipid (NLCs) carriers as a bioavailability enhancement tool for oral administration.Drug Deliv.201522669170010.3109/10717544.2014.89811024670099
     [Google Scholar]
  25. WathoniN. SuhandiC. ElaminK. LesmanaR. HasanN. MohammedA. El-RayyesA. WilarG. Advancements and challenges of nanostructured lipid carriers for wound healing applications.Int. J. Nanomedicine2024198091811310.2147/IJN.S47896439161361
     [Google Scholar]
  26. KhosaA. ReddiS. SahaR.N. Nanostructured lipid carriers for site-specific drug delivery.Biomed. Pharmacother.201810359861310.1016/j.biopha.2018.04.05529677547
     [Google Scholar]
  27. JavedS. ManglaB. AlmoshariY. SultanM.H. AhsanW. Nanostructured lipid carrier system: A compendium of their formulation development approaches, optimization strategies by quality by design, and recent applications in drug delivery.Nanotechnol. Rev.20221111744177710.1515/ntrev‑2022‑0109
     [Google Scholar]
  28. Gordillo-GaleanoA. Mora-HuertasC.E. Solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers: A review emphasizing on particle structure and drug release.Eur. J. Pharm. Biopharm.201813328530810.1016/j.ejpb.2018.10.01730463794
     [Google Scholar]
  29. ObeidatW.M. SchwabeK. MüllerR.H. KeckC.M. Preservation of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC).Eur. J. Pharm. Biopharm.2010761566710.1016/j.ejpb.2010.05.00120452422
     [Google Scholar]
  30. MahantS. RaoR. SoutoE.B. NandaS. Analytical tools and evaluation strategies for nanostructured lipid carrier-based topical delivery systems.Expert Opin. Drug Deliv.202017796399210.1080/17425247.2020.177275032441158
     [Google Scholar]
  31. HanF. LiS. YinR. LiuH. XuL. Effect of surfactants on the formation and characterization of a new type of colloidal drug delivery system: Nanostructured lipid carriers.Colloids Surf. A Physicochem. Eng. Asp.20083151-321021610.1016/j.colsurfa.2007.08.005
     [Google Scholar]
  32. NasirizadehS. Malaekeh-NikoueiB. Solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers in oral cancer drug delivery.J. Drug Deliv. Sci. Technol.20205510145810.1016/j.jddst.2019.101458
     [Google Scholar]
  33. KhuranaS. UtrejaP. TiwaryA.K. JainN.K. JainS. Nanostructured lipid carriers and their application in drug delivery.Int. J. Biomed. Eng. Technol.20092215217110.1504/IJBET.2009.022913
     [Google Scholar]
  34. JiaL. ZhangD. LiZ. DuanC. WangY. FengF. WangF. LiuY. ZhangQ. Nanostructured lipid carriers for parenteral delivery of silybin: Biodistribution and pharmacokinetic studies.Colloids Surf. B Biointerfaces201080221321810.1016/j.colsurfb.2010.06.00820621458
     [Google Scholar]
  35. PyoS.M. MüllerR.H. KeckC.M. Encapsulation by nanostructured lipid carriers. Nanoencapsulation technologies for the food and nutraceutical industries.Cambridge, MassachusettsAcademic Press201711413710.1016/B978‑0‑12‑809436‑5.00004‑5
     [Google Scholar]
  36. ShahN.V. SethA.K. BalaramanR. AundhiaC.J. MaheshwariR.A. ParmarG.R. Nanostructured lipid carriers for oral bioavailability enhancement of raloxifene: Design and in vivo study.J. Adv. Res.20167342343410.1016/j.jare.2016.03.00227222747
     [Google Scholar]
  37. AzarN.F.A. PezeshkiA. GhanbarzadehB. HamishehkarH. MohammadiM. Nanostructured lipid carriers: Promising delivery systems for encapsulation of food ingredients.J. Agr. Food Res.2020210008410.1016/j.jafr.2020.100084
     [Google Scholar]
  38. KhanS. SharmaA. JainV. An overview of nanostructured lipid carriers and its application in drug delivery through different routes.Adv. Pharm. Bull.202313344646010.34172/apb.2023.05637646052
     [Google Scholar]
  39. JainP RahiP PandeyV AsatiS SoniV. Nanostructure lipid carriers: A modish contrivance to overcome the ultraviolet effects.Egyptian J. Basic Appl. Sci.20174200110.1016/j.ejbas.2017.02.001
     [Google Scholar]
  40. Hajiaghapour AsrM. DayaniF. Saedi SegherlooF. KamediA. NeillA.O. MacLoughlinR. DoroudianM. Lipid nanoparticles as promising carriers for mRNA vaccines for viral lung infections.Pharmaceutics2023154112710.3390/pharmaceutics1504112737111613
     [Google Scholar]
  41. AlaviS.E. BakhtU. Koohi Moftakhari EsfahaniM. AdelniaH. AbdollahiS.H. Ebrahimi ShahmabadiH. RazaA. A PEGylated nanostructured lipid carrier for enhanced oral delivery of antibiotics.Pharmaceutics2022148166810.3390/pharmaceutics1408166836015294
     [Google Scholar]
  42. NogueiraN.C. de SáL.L.F. de CarvalhoA.L.M. Nanostructured lipid carriers as a novel strategy for topical antifungal therapy.AAPS PharmSciTech20212313210.1208/s12249‑021‑02181‑w34931256
     [Google Scholar]
  43. OjhaS. MishraS. Nanostructured lipid carriers for targeting central nervous system: Recent advancements.Micro Nanosyst.2023152829110.2174/1876402915666230518121949
     [Google Scholar]
  44. SantosL.A. CarneiroG. Solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers for drug delivery applications.Nanomaterials: Evolution and Advancement Towards Therapeutic Drug Delivery (Part II)20211305313
     [Google Scholar]
  45. UgwuA.A. NnamaniP.O. AttamaA.A. Preliminary characterization of PEGylated nanostructured lipid carriers as potential drug delivery system.J. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manag.2024281798410.4314/jasem.v28i1.9
     [Google Scholar]
  46. AlatawiH.M. AlhwitiS.S. AlsharifK.A. AlbalawiS.S. AbusalehS.M. SrorG.K. QushawyM. Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) as effective drug delivery systems: Methods of preparation and their therapeutic applications.Recent Pat. Nanotechnol.202418217918910.2174/187221051766623012014243938197417
     [Google Scholar]
  47. FerreiraK.C.B. ValleA.B.C.S. PaesC.Q. TavaresG.D. PittellaF. TavaresG.D. PittellaF. Nanostructured lipid carriers for the formulation of topical anti-inflammatory nanomedicines based on natural substances.Pharmaceutics2021139145410.3390/pharmaceutics1309145434575531
     [Google Scholar]
  48. AndonovaV. PenevaP. Characterization methods for solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC).Curr. Pharm. Des.201823436630664210.2174/138161282366617111510572129141534
     [Google Scholar]
  49. KumarV. NairS.C. Nano lipid carriers as a promising drug delivery carrier for neurodegenerative disorders - an overview of recent advances.Recent Pat. Biotechnol.202418122110.2174/187220831766623032016421938205772
     [Google Scholar]
  50. SinghC.P. RaiP.K. KumarM. TiwariV. TiwariA. SharmaA. SharmaK. Emphasis on nanostructured lipid carriers in the ocular delivery of antibiotics.Pharm. Nanotechnol.202412212614210.2174/221173851166623072710221337519002
     [Google Scholar]
  51. E ElerakyN. M OmarM. A MahmoudH. A Abou-TalebH. Nanostructured lipid carriers to mediate brain delivery of temazepam: Design and in vivo study.Pharmaceutics2020125451
     [Google Scholar]
  52. JiveshG. KhushbooP. SangeetaP.S. SandipV.P. Nanostructured lipid carriers: A promising drug carrier for targeting brain tumours.Fut. J. Pharma. Sci.20228125
     [Google Scholar]
  53. GuglevaV. AndonovaV. Recent progress of solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers as ocular drug delivery platforms.Pharmaceuticals (Basel)202316347410.3390/ph1603047436986574
     [Google Scholar]
  54. GadS. FawzyM. AdelM. HamadiT. GhourabM. Nanostructured lipid carriers as novel drug delivery system: A review.Records Pharmaceut. Biomed. Sci.20237312213310.21608/rpbs.2023.214962.1232
     [Google Scholar]
  55. TangC.H. ChenH.L. DongJ.R. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) as food-grade nanovehicles for hydrophobic nutraceuticals or bioactives.Appl. Sci. (Basel)2023133172610.3390/app13031726
     [Google Scholar]
  56. BonaccorsoA. OrtisA. MusumeciT. CarboneC. HussainM. Di SalvatoreV. BattiatoS. PappalardoF. PignatelloR. Nose-to-brain drug delivery and physico-chemical properties of nanosystems: Analysis and correlation studies of data from scientific literature.Int. J. Nanomedicine2024195619563610.2147/IJN.S45231638882536
     [Google Scholar]
  57. GargJ. PathaniaK. SahS.P. PawarS.V. Nanostructured lipid carriers: A promising drug carrier for targeting brain tumours.Future J. Pharmaceut. Sci.2022812510.1186/s43094‑022‑00414‑8
     [Google Scholar]
  58. PaolinoD. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for the topical delivery of lutein.Drug Deliv. Lett.201111323910.2174/2210303111101010032
     [Google Scholar]
  59. ShrivastavaP. GautamL. JainA. VishwakarmaN. VyasS. VyasS.P. Lipid drug conjugates for improved therapeutic benefits.Curr. Pharm. Des.202026273187320210.2174/138161282666620031112400332160838
     [Google Scholar]
  60. ChenY. YangX. ZhaoL. AlmásyL. GaramusV.M. WillumeitR. ZouA. Preparation and characterization of a nanostructured lipid carrier for a poorly soluble drug.Colloids Surf. A Physicochem. Eng. Asp.2014455364310.1016/j.colsurfa.2014.04.032
     [Google Scholar]
  61. CostaC.P. MoreiraJ.N. S LoboJ.M. SilvaA.C. Intranasal delivery of nanostructured lipid carriers, solid lipid nanoparticles and nanoemulsions: A current overview of in vivo studies.Acta Pharm. Sin. B202111492594010.1016/j.apsb.2021.02.01233996407
     [Google Scholar]
  62. GunawanM. BoonkanokwongV. Current applications of solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers as vehicles in oral delivery systems for antioxidant nutraceuticals: A review.Colloids Surf. B Biointerfaces202423311360810.1016/j.colsurfb.2023.11360837925866
     [Google Scholar]
  63. RajoriyaV. GuptaR. VengurlekarS. S SinghU. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs): A promising candidate for lung cancer targeting.Int. J. Pharm.202465512398610.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.12398638493842
     [Google Scholar]
  64. ChenX. WangZ.X. LiuW. WuY.C. LiH.J. Understanding the nanostructures of prolamin-based oral carrier to deliver functional compounds: A review.Trends Food Sci. Technol.202415010457110.1016/j.tifs.2024.104571
     [Google Scholar]
  65. HuangR. HeL. JinL. LiZ. HeN. MiaoW. Recent advancements in DNA nanotechnology-enabled extracellular vesicles detection and diagnosis: A mini review.Chin. Chem. Lett.202334610792610.1016/j.cclet.2022.107926
     [Google Scholar]
  66. MaY. LiS. LinX. ChenY. A perspective of lipid nanoparticles for RNA delivery.Exploration202420242023014710.1002/EXP.20230147
     [Google Scholar]
  67. SinghB. KumarM. UpadhyayP.K. SinghA.K. Nanostructured lipid carrier for dermatological application: A comprehensive review and future perspective.Curr. Nanomed.202414318819910.2174/0124681873274871230927105142
     [Google Scholar]
  68. QuadirSS JoshiG SaharanV MangeshH ChoudharyD YadavK JainCP ChauhanLS A Review on nanostructured lipid carriers as promising drug delivery vehicle to target various cancers via oral route: A step towards “Chemotherapy at Home”.Curr. Nanomed.202414292452
     [Google Scholar]
  69. AlwahshW. SahudinS. AlkhatibH. BostanudinM.F. AlwahshM. Chitosan-based nanocarriers for pulmonary and intranasal drug delivery systems: A comprehensive overview of their applications.Curr. Drug Targets202425749251110.2174/011389450130174724041710332138676513
     [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/mns/10.2174/0118764029322000240925065749
Loading
Guiding Therapeutics: Lipid Labyrinths and Nanostructures for Enhanced Drug Delivery
Micro and Nanosystems 17, 87 (2025); https://doi.org/10.2174/0118764029322000240925065749
/content/journals/mns/10.2174/0118764029322000240925065749
/content/journals/mns/10.2174/0118764029322000240925065749
Loading

Data & Media loading...


  • Article Type:     Review Article
Keyword(s): biocompatible; high pressure homogenization; melt emulsification; microemulsion; Nanostructured lipid carriers; solvent evaporation

Most Cited Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test