ABSTRACT
The lipid matrix material is melted, drug incorporation can be performed by dissolving the drug in the melted lipid. There are two basic production techniques for Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN), homogenization of melted lipids at elevated temperature and homogenization of a suspension of solid lipids at room temperature or below. The maximum pay load of lipophilic drugs in SLN is determined by their solubility in the melted lipid. The toxicity is the governing factor deciding if a product has the chance to be introduced to the pharmaceutical market. Compared to liposomes the SLN possess the advantage of better protection of drugs against chemical degradation. In general, SLN can be potentially applied in all drug formulations in which polymeric nanoparticles or colloidal drug carriers are useful. The SLN might be used similarly to topical cosmetical products in dermatological pharmaceutical formulations. The SLN can act as a drug reservoir providing controlled drug release.
