Advances in Solid Lipid Micro- and Nanoparticle Technology

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmaceutical Technology, Manufacturing and Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2022) | Viewed by 32514

Special Issue Editors

Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Interests: drug delivery; pharmaceutical nanotechnology; nanomedicine; pulmonary drug delivery; cell encapsulation; tissue engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
Interests: controlled release; inhaled dry powders; drug physical modification; micro- and nanoparticles; drug targeting
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Undoubtedly, solid lipid micro- and nanoparticles show strong potential in a number of different therapeutic areas. Their proven safety and the availability of scalable manufacturing techniques rank solid lipid particles among the most attractive technologies. Unfortunately, the intrinsic solid state properties of lipids are detrimental to particle storage stability and sometimes restrict their market appeal. Therefore, in spite of the recorded progress, the solid lipid particle technology still strives to overcome unmet development issues.

This Special Issue aims to cover the most recent research efforts addressing lipid particle technology challenges. Special attention will be dedicated to manufacturing and novel cutting-edge technologies that may help to prevent the well-known issues of lipid materials and could foster the industrial development of these versatile delivery systems. Detailed topics are: advanced manufacturing techniques; new solid lipid particle engineering approaches to enhance stability and delivery performances; new approaches in the use of solid lipid particles for targeted or local drug delivery; technologies addressing delivery of biopharmaceutical products and hydrophilic compounds.

Prof. Stefano Giovagnoli
Prof. Paolo Blasi
Dr. Aurélie Schoubben
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Solid lipid nanoparticles
  • Solid lipid microparticles
  • Microencapsulation
  • Particle engineering
  • Manufacturing methods
  • Targeted delivery
  • Local delivery
  • Controlled release
  • Biopharmaceutical products
  • Solid state properties
  • Stability

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

18 pages, 1834 KiB  
Article
Design and Optimization of Nanostructured Lipid Carrier Containing Dexamethasone for Ophthalmic Use
by Eszter L. Kiss, Szilvia Berkó, Attila Gácsi, Anita Kovács, Gábor Katona, Judit Soós, Erzsébet Csányi, Ilona Gróf, András Harazin, Mária A. Deli and Mária Budai-Szűcs
Pharmaceutics 2019, 11(12), 679; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics11120679 - 14 Dec 2019
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 4018
Abstract
The aim of this study was to perform a preformulation study of dexamethasone (DXM)-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for ocular use. Lipid screening was applied to find the most suitable solid and liquid lipids and surfactant for the NLC formulation. The visual observation [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to perform a preformulation study of dexamethasone (DXM)-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for ocular use. Lipid screening was applied to find the most suitable solid and liquid lipids and surfactant for the NLC formulation. The visual observation was proved with XRD measurements for the establishment of the soluble state of DXM. Thermoanalytical measurements indicated that the most relevant depression of the crystallinity index could be ensured when using a 7:3 solid lipid:oil ratio. In order to optimize the NLC composition, a 23 full factorial experimental design was used. It was established that each independent factor (lipid, DXM, and surfactant concentration) had a significant effect on the particle size while in the case of entrapment efficiency, the DXM and surfactant concentrations were significant. Lower surfactant and lipid concentrations could be beneficial because the stability and the entrapment efficacy of NLCs were more favorable. The toxicity tests on human cornea cells indicated good ophthalmic tolerability of NLCs. The in vitro drug release study predicted a higher concentration of the solute DXM on the eye surface while the Raman mapping penetration study on the porcine cornea showed a high concentration of nanocarriers in the hydrophylic stroma layer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Solid Lipid Micro- and Nanoparticle Technology)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

21 pages, 5874 KiB  
Article
Short Term Stability Testing of Efavirenz-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticle (SLN) and Nanostructured Lipid Carrier (NLC) Dispersions
by Pedzisai A. Makoni, Kasongo Wa Kasongo and Roderick B. Walker
Pharmaceutics 2019, 11(8), 397; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics11080397 - 08 Aug 2019
Cited by 70 | Viewed by 8272
Abstract
The short term stability of efavirenz-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle and nanostructured lipid carrier dispersions was investigated. Hot High Pressure Homogenization with the capability for scale up production was successfully used to manufacture the nanocarriers without the use of toxic organic solvents for the [...] Read more.
The short term stability of efavirenz-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle and nanostructured lipid carrier dispersions was investigated. Hot High Pressure Homogenization with the capability for scale up production was successfully used to manufacture the nanocarriers without the use of toxic organic solvents for the first time. Glyceryl monostearate and Transcutol® HP were used as the solid and liquid lipids. Tween® 80 was used to stabilize the lipid nanocarriers. A Box-Behnken Design was used to identify the optimum operating and production conditions viz., 1100 bar for 3 cycles for the solid lipid nanoparticles and 1500 bar for 5 cycles for nanostructured lipid carriers. The optimized nanocarriers were predicted to exhibit 10% efavirenz loading with 3% and 4% Tween® 80 for solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers, respectively. Characterization of the optimized solid lipid nanoparticle and nanostructured lipid carrier formulations in relation to shape, surface morphology, polymorphism, crystallinity and compatibility revealed stable formulations with particle sizes in the nanometer range had been produced. The nanocarriers had excellent efavirenz loading with the encapsulation efficiency >90%. The optimized nanocarriers exhibited biphasic in vitro release patterns with an initial burst release during the initial 0–3 h followed by sustained release over a 24 h period The colloidal systems showed excellent stability in terms of Zeta potential, particle size, polydispersity index and encapsulation efficiency when stored for 8 weeks at 25 °C/60% RH in comparison to when stored at 40 °C/75% RH. The formulations manufactured using the optimized conditions and composition proved to be physically stable as aqueous dispersions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Solid Lipid Micro- and Nanoparticle Technology)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

17 pages, 4130 KiB  
Article
Glutathione-Loaded Solid Lipid Microparticles as Innovative Delivery System for Oral Antioxidant Therapy
by Serena Bertoni, Beatrice Albertini, Carlotta Facchini, Cecilia Prata and Nadia Passerini
Pharmaceutics 2019, 11(8), 364; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics11080364 - 27 Jul 2019
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3793
Abstract
The present study aimed to develop a novel formulation containing glutathione (GSH) as an oral antioxidant therapy for the treatment of oxidative stress-related intestinal diseases. To this purpose, solid lipid microparticles (SLMs) with Dynasan 114 and a mixture of Dynasan 114 and Dynasan [...] Read more.
The present study aimed to develop a novel formulation containing glutathione (GSH) as an oral antioxidant therapy for the treatment of oxidative stress-related intestinal diseases. To this purpose, solid lipid microparticles (SLMs) with Dynasan 114 and a mixture of Dynasan 114 and Dynasan 118 were produced by spray congealing technology. The obtained SLMs had main particle sizes ranging from 250 to 355 µm, suitable for oral administration. GSH was efficiently loaded into the SLMs at 5% or 20% w/w and the encapsulation process did not modify its chemico-physical properties, as demonstrated by FT-IR, DSC and HSM analysis. Moreover, in vitro release studies using biorelevant media showed that Dynasan 114-based SLMs could efficiently release GSH in various intestinal fluids, while 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay demonstrated the good radical scavenging activity of this formulation. Dynasan 114-based SLMs exhibited an excellent biocompatibility on intestinal HT-29 cells at concentrations up to 2000 μg/mL. SLMs containing GSH alone or together with another antioxidant agent (catalase) were effective in reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Overall, this study indicated that spray congealed SLMs are a promising oral drug delivery system for the encapsulation of one or more biological antioxidant agents for local intestinal treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Solid Lipid Micro- and Nanoparticle Technology)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

25 pages, 12233 KiB  
Article
Ucuùba (Virola surinamensis) Fat-Based Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Nail Drug Delivery of Ketoconazole: Development and Optimization Using Box-Behnken Design
by Rayanne R. Pereira, Matteo Testi, Francesca Rossi, Jose O. C. Silva Junior, Roseane M. Ribeiro-Costa, Ruggero Bettini, Patrizia Santi, Cristina Padula and Fabio Sonvico
Pharmaceutics 2019, 11(6), 284; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics11060284 - 17 Jun 2019
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 5814
Abstract
Ucuùba fat is fat obtained from a plant found in South America, mainly in Amazonian Brazil. Due to its biocompatibility and bioactivity, Ucuùba fat was used for the production of ketoconazole-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) in view of an application for the treatment [...] Read more.
Ucuùba fat is fat obtained from a plant found in South America, mainly in Amazonian Brazil. Due to its biocompatibility and bioactivity, Ucuùba fat was used for the production of ketoconazole-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) in view of an application for the treatment of onychomycosis and other persistent fungal infections. The development and optimization of Ucuùba fat-based NLC were performed using a Box-Behnken design of experiments. The independent variables were surfactant concentration (% w/v), liquid lipids concentration (% w/v), solid lipids concentration (% w/v), while the outputs of interest were particle size, polydispersity index (PDI) and drug encapsulation efficiency (EE). Ucuùba fat-based NLC were produced and the process was optimized by the development of a predictive mathematical model. Applying the model, two formulations with pre-determined particle size, i.e., 30 and 85 nm, were produced for further evaluation. The optimized formulations were characterized and showed particle size in agreement to the predicted value, i.e., 33.6 nm and 74.6 nm, respectively. The optimized formulations were also characterized using multiple techniques in order to investigate the solid state of drug and excipients (DSC and XRD), particle morphology (TEM), drug release and interactions between the formulation components (FTIR). Furthermore, particle size, surface charge and drug loading efficiency of the formulations were studied during a one-month stability study and did not show evidence of significant modification. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Solid Lipid Micro- and Nanoparticle Technology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 2833 KiB  
Article
Clotrimazole-Loaded Mediterranean Essential Oils NLC: A Synergic Treatment of Candida Skin Infections
by Claudia Carbone, Maria do Céu Teixeira, Maria do Céu Sousa, Carlos Martins-Gomes, Amelia M. Silva, Eliana Maria Barbosa Souto and Teresa Musumeci
Pharmaceutics 2019, 11(5), 231; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics11050231 - 13 May 2019
Cited by 60 | Viewed by 5307
Abstract
The increasing development of resistance of Candida species to traditional drugs represents a great challenge to the medical field for the treatment of skin infections. Essential oils were recently proposed to increase drug effectiveness. Herein, we developed and optimized (23 full factorial [...] Read more.
The increasing development of resistance of Candida species to traditional drugs represents a great challenge to the medical field for the treatment of skin infections. Essential oils were recently proposed to increase drug effectiveness. Herein, we developed and optimized (23 full factorial design) Mediterranean essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis, Lavandula x intermedia “Sumian”, Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum) lipid nanoparticles for clotrimazole delivery, exploring the potential synergistic effects against Candida spp. Small sized nanoparticles (<100 nm) with a very broad size distribution (PDI < 0.15) and long-term stability were successfully prepared. Results of the in vitro biosafety on HaCaT (normal cell line) and A431 (tumoral cell line), allowed us to select Lavandula and Rosmarinus as anti-proliferative agents with the potential to be used as co-adjuvants in the treatment of non-tumoral proliferative dermal diseases. Results of calorimetric studies on biomembrane models, confirmed the potential antimicrobial activity of the selected oils due to their interaction with membrane permeabilization. Nanoparticles provided a prolonged in vitro release of clotrimazole. In vitro studies against Candida albicans, Candida krusei and Candida parapsilosis, showed an increase of the antifungal activity of clotrimazole-loaded nanoparticles prepared with Lavandula or Rosmarinus, thus confirming nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) containing Mediterranean essential oils represent a promising strategy to improve drug effectiveness against topical candidiasis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Solid Lipid Micro- and Nanoparticle Technology)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

18 pages, 944 KiB  
Article
Methotrexate-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: Protein Functionalization to Improve Brain Biodistribution
by Elisabetta Muntoni, Katia Martina, Elisabetta Marini, Marta Giorgis, Loretta Lazzarato, Iris Chiara Salaroglio, Chiara Riganti, Michele Lanotte and Luigi Battaglia
Pharmaceutics 2019, 11(2), 65; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics11020065 - 02 Feb 2019
Cited by 37 | Viewed by 4355
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common and invasive primary tumor of the central nervous system and normally has a negative prognosis. Biodistribution in healthy animal models is an important preliminary study aimed at investigating the efficacy of chemotherapy, as it is mainly addressed towards [...] Read more.
Glioblastoma is the most common and invasive primary tumor of the central nervous system and normally has a negative prognosis. Biodistribution in healthy animal models is an important preliminary study aimed at investigating the efficacy of chemotherapy, as it is mainly addressed towards residual cells after surgery in a region with an intact blood–brain barrier. Nanoparticles have emerged as versatile vectors that can overcome the blood–brain barrier. In this experimental work, solid lipid nanoparticles, prepared using fatty acid coacervation, have been loaded with an active lipophilic ester of cytotoxic drug methotrexate, and functionalized with either transferrin or insulin, two proteins whose receptors are abundantly expressed on the blood–brain barrier. Functionalization has been achieved by grafting a maleimide moiety onto the nanoparticle’s surface and exploiting its reactivity towards thiolated proteins. The nanoparticles have been tested in vitro on a blood–brain barrier cellular model and in vivo for biodistribution in Wistar rats. Drug metabolites, in particular 7-hydroxymethotrexate, have also been investigated in the animal model. The data obtained indicate that the functionalization of the nanoparticles improved their ability to overcome the blood–brain barrier when a PEG spacer between the proteins and the nanoparticle’s surface was used. This is probably because this method provided improved ligand–receptor interactions and selectivity for the target tissue. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Solid Lipid Micro- and Nanoparticle Technology)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Back to TopTop