In the 1990s, the introduction of solid-phase lipids in nanoparticle formulations became a game changer, helping to minimize drug leakage and extend the release time of encapsulated drugs.
Lipid-based formulations, using oils and lipids, can disperse water-insoluble drugs in an aqueous medium with the help of surfactants, enabling their absorption across the gut barrier. The emergence of advanced systems—such as thermodynamically stable microemulsions, kinetically stable nanoemulsions, and self-emulsifying drug delivery systems—has added features ideal for controlled drug release and long-term storage. Furthermore, phospholipids and surfactants with precise polar heads and carbon chains have facilitated the development of bilayer vesicles known as liposomes and niosomes. These vesicular systems, along with lipid nanoparticles have become increasingly popular for the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. New targeting ligands and synthetic lipids are being developed to further enhance pharmacokinetics, making these systems promising tools for precision medicine.
In a recent review, Pedro Fonte and his team, highlight various lipid and oil-based nanoparticulate systems for water-insoluble drugs, with a comparative analysis of their unique properties and potential in modern drug delivery.
Link to the publication: https://lnkd.in/dceBTrtq
Photo credits: Image generated by AI (DALLE-E), after iteraction.