Solid lipid nanoparticles as vehicles of drugs to the brain: current state of the art.
Central nervous system disorders are already prevalent and steadily increasing among populations worldwide. However, most of the pharmaceuticals present on world markets are ineffective in treating cerebral diseases, because they cannot effectively cross the blood brain barrier (BBB). Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) are nanospheres made from biocompatible solid lipids, with unique advantages among drug carriers: they can be used as vehicles to cross the BBB. This review examines the main aspects surrounding brain delivery with SLN, and illustrates the principal mechanisms used to enhance brain uptake of the delivered drug.
Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Torino, Italy.
Lucia
L
Gastaldi
Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Torino, Italy. Electronic address: luigi.battaglia@unito.it.
Luigi
L
Battaglia
Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Torino, Italy.
Elena
E
Peira
Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Torino, Italy.
Daniela
D
Chirio
Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Torino, Italy.
Elisabetta
E
Muntoni
Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Torino, Italy.
Ilaria
I
Solazzi
Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Torino, Italy.
Marina
M
Gallarate
Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Torino, Italy.
Franco
F
Dosio
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism*
D008055:Lipids; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations
Active targeting; Bioavailability; Biodistribution; Blood brain barrier; Central nervous system; Solid lipid nanoparticles