Lipid nanoparticles, such as solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured
lipid carriers, are drug delivery systems in which solid lipids are dispersed in an
aqueous phase stabilized by a surfactant layer. The great interest in these nanocarriers
in the latest years is due to the biocompatible lipid matrix, associated with the potential
for sustained drug release, and easy transposition to the industrial scale. Moreover,
these lipid systems present the ability to prevent drug degradation, and to enhance cell
uptake, usually increasing drug efficacy. This chapter will provide an overview of the
recent literature on solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers for drug
delivery applications. Thus, some background information on the origins, composition,
characterization parameters and biological applications of these nanocarrier systems
will be presented.
Keywords: Nanocarriers, Nanoparticles, Nanostructured lipid carriers, Solid lipid
nanoparticles.
