Lipid Nanocarriers (LNC) and their Applications in Ocular Drug Delivery

Title:Lipid Nanocarriers (LNC) and their Applications in Ocular Drug Delivery

Volume: 22 Issue: 13

Author(s): Carmelo Puglia, Alessia Offerta, Claudia Carbone, Francesco Bonina, Rosario Pignatello and Giovanni Puglisi

Affiliation:

Keywords: Drug delivery systems, lipid drug conjugates (LDC), nanomedicine, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), ophthalmology, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN).

Abstract: The peculiar physio-anatomical structure of the eye and the poor physico-chemical properties of many drug molecules are often responsible for the inefficient treatment of ocular diseases by conventional dosage forms, and justify the development of innovative ocular drug delivery systems. Lipid-based nanocarriers (LNC) are among the newer and interesting colloidal drug delivery systems; they show the capability to improve the local bioavailability of drugs administered by various ocular routes and, therefore, their therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, their extreme biodegradability and biocompatible chemical nature have secured them the title of ‘nanosafe carriers.’ This review treats the main features of LNC [namely, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) and lipid-drug conjugates (LDC)]; examples and advantages of the application of these colloidal carrier systems for the ophthalmic administration of drugs are presented.

Cite this article as:

Puglia Carmelo, Offerta Alessia, Carbone Claudia, Bonina Francesco, Pignatello Rosario and Puglisi Giovanni, Lipid Nanocarriers (LNC) and their Applications in Ocular Drug Delivery, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2015; 22 (13) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867322666150209152259