KENI DEVENDRA CHANDRAKANT Dr. Sunder Pal
Abstract:
Poor aqueous solubility remains one of the most critical challenges in modern pharmaceutics. It severely limits the oral bioavailability, therapeutic efficacy, and clinical success of many drugs. Since nearly 40% of pharmaceutical compounds developed nowadays fall into the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) Class II and IV categories, advanced formulation strategies are required to improve their in vivo dissolution and absorption profiles. Lipid nanoparticle drug delivery systems represent an attractive nanotechnological approach to overcoming these limitations by enhancing solubility, stability, and permeability of the poorly soluble drugs. SLNs, NLCs, liposomes, and nano-emulsions are biocompatible and biodegradable carriers that efficiently encapsulate lipophilic drugs Lipid nanoparticles improve the bioavailability of drugs through different mechanisms, which include increased surface area, enhanced intestinal lymphatic uptake, controlled or sustained drug release, and reduction of first-pass hepatic metabolism. The nanoscale size allows for improved cellular uptake and better penetration across physiological barriers. Besides, the presence of lipids and surfactants promotes the solubilization of hydrophobic drugs in gastrointestinal fluids. Preparation by high-pressure homogenization, ultrasonication, and microemulsion techniques enables scalable and reproducible manufacture. Characterization parameters such as particle size, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency ensure optimal performance.Nevertheless, despite these great advantages, challenges such as physical instability, potential cytotoxicity, complicated regulatory issues, and high manufacturing costs still remain. Continued innovation in lipid chemistry, surface modification, and targeting methods/strategies will further improve therapeutic benefit in oncology, cardiovascular disorders, CNS conditions, and antifungal therapy, among others.In all, lipid nanoparticle delivery systems have emerged as a revolutionary platform for overcoming solubility-related problems in drug delivery, which improves clinical efficacy, patient compliance, and future pharmaceutical innovation.
