Nanostructured Lipid Carriers as a Potential Topical Drug Delivery Approach

Abstract

Topical drug delivery is a remarkable approach to treat skin diseases and to avoid pain and low patient compliance in cases where a systemic delivery is required. However, the stratum corneum, which is the outermost skin layer, strongly protects the body from the entrance of substances, especially those hydrophilic in nature. For topical application of drugs generally application on skin is one of method of administration. But problem observed that only limited drugs are active through skin penetration hence search safe drug carrier to increase its penetration power with good therapeutic activity. In the research of safe drug carrier commence with lipid based carriers, which play important role in penetration of drug as nano-carriers. Nanostructured lipid carrier’s ﴾NLC’s﴿ consist of blended solid and liquid lipids ﴾oils﴿ dispersed in an aqueous solution containing a surfactant. These carriers’ shows advantages over other topical formulation such as good biocompatibility, high permeability when used topically; low cytotoxicity, high drug content and they enhance drug stability and have many possibilities of application. This paper covers methods of preparation, advantages and disadvantages of NLC’s, modulation of drug release through skin, and objectives behind formulating the NLC’s. It also contains types of NLC’s and their applications in topical formulations.