Lipid based nanoparticles: SLN, NLC and MAD

Lipid-based nanosystems have been widely proposed as novel drug carrier systems since they have gained interest as matrixes able to dissolve and to control the delivery of active molecules, on one hand improving their solubility in water and their bioavailability and on the other reducing side-effects. Among nanoparticles based on lipids one can mention (a) solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) that add up the benefit of colloidal lipid emulsions and those of solid matrix particles; (b) nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), an evolution of SLN typified by a blend of a solid lipid matrix and a liquid lipid phase and (c) monooleine aqueous dispersions (MAD) that are heterogeneous systems made by a complex lyotropic liquid crystalline nanostructures such as micelles and lamellar, hexagonal, and cubic phases. Concerning their morphological characterization, X-ray diffraction and microscopy are used in order to obtain information about shape, inner structure, dimensions of powders and dispersions that could not otherwise be identified. Notably, this chapter provides an overview of the above mentioned lipid-based nanosystems loaded with some phytoconstituents studied by our research group.