title: Solid lipid nanoparticles: an oral bioavailability enhancer vehicle.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The therapeutic efficacy of perorally administered drugs is often obscured by their poor oral bioavailability (BA) and low metabolic stability in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have emerged as potential BA enhancer vehicles for various Class II, III and IV drug molecules.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review examines the recent advancements in SLN technology, with regards to oral drug delivery. The discussion critically examines the effect of various key constituents on SLN absorption and their applications in oral drug delivery. The relationship between the complexity of absorption (and various factors involved during absorption, including particle size), stability and the self-emulsifying ability of the lipids used has been explored.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The protective effect of SLNs, coupled with their sustained/controlled release properties, prevents drugs/macromolecules from premature degradation and improves their stability in the GIT. An extensive literature survey reveals that direct peroral administration of SLNs improves the BA of drugs by 2- to 25-fold. Overall, the ease of large-scale production, avoidance of organic solvents and improvement of oral BA make SLNs a potential BA enhancer vehicle for various Class II, III and IV drugs.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Centre for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutics, SAS Nagar, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Harshad
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Harde
authors.forename: Manasmita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Sanyog
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jain
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004355:Drug Stability; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000517:prevention & control; D045703:Emulsifying Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008055:Lipids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D010599:Pharmacokinetics; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D045703:Emulsifying Agents; D008055:Lipids; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations