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.
