Characterizations of Lipid-based Nanostructured Systems

Nanostructured lipid carriers are obtained using a blend of solid and liquid lipids; this blend is solid at room temperature. NLC is a second generation of lipid nanoparticles, which offer the advantage of improved drug-loading capability and release properties. The aim of this chapter is to introduce the recent approaches in selecting the most appropriate lipid system(s); methods for characterization of their behavior in vitro and in vivo; and the current formulation and processing techniques to obtain various solid dosage forms. The targeted design of nanoparticles for efficient drug loading and defined release profiles is even after 25 years of research on lipid-based nanoparticles still no routine procedure. It requires detailed knowledge of the interaction of the drug with the lipid compounds and its localization and distribution in the nanoparticle. In the present work, published data on in vitro and in vivo compatibility of SLN/NLC have been surveyed, in order to give evidence of high biocompatibility distinguished by intended administration route.