Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Production

CD Bioparticles provides custom services for Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) formulation design and drug encapsulation. Together with advanced preparation technologies for various liposomes, scientists in CD Bioparticles are proficient in producing NLCs for various types of drug loading, especially for the chemical drugs. We can provide the service of formulation design depending on the application, drug encapsulation, physical and chemical properties, in vitro and in vivo characterization according to customer's project needs.

Introduction to Nanostructured lipid carriers

Nanostructured lipid carriers are composed of a variety of liquid lipids(LL), solid lipids(SL), and surfactants mixed in specific ratios and dispersed in aqueous solutions.

The ingredients common used in formulation of NLCs:

• SL: Glyceryl monostearate, Glyceryl tridecanoate, Glyceryl tripalmitate, Stearic acid, et al.
• LL: Soy lecithin, Oleic acid, Squalen, et al.
• Surfactants: Lecithin, Tween 80, Pluronic® F-68, Pluronic F127, et al.

Therefore, they have a solid matrix at room temperature and are considered superior to many other traditional lipid-based nanocarriers such as nanoemulsions, liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs)^[1]. The structure difference of NLC and other lipid-based nanoparticles are shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Different types of lipid-based nanoparticles. (A) Nanoemulsions; (B) Liposomes; (C) Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs); and (D) Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). Solid lipids (SL), liquid lipids (LL)

The specific features of NLCs include:

• High absorption of the compounds by NLCs due to the substantial surface-to-volume ratio and significant functional surface^[2];
• Enhanced physical stability due to the decreased of polymorphic transition preventing the expulsion of the drug from the formulation during the storage
• Improving the protection of labile loaded therapeutic agents conferred by using solid lipids (SL) instead of oily phase in emulsions;
• Avoiding the use of non-aqueous solvents which facilitate the upscaling processes and lower the cost.

The applications of NLCs include:

NLCs were broadly studied as delivery systems for a variety of therapeutic and cosmetic applications for parenteral, topical, oral, ophthalmic, and pulmonary administration for management of central nervous system diseases, inflammatory diseases, skin conditions, bacterial and fungal infection, as well as the administration of local anesthetics^[3].

Our Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Featured Services

LNPs formulation design: we customize LNPs design based on our clients' demand by varying lipid structure (both commercials and clients new developed), lipid compositions, vesicle sizes, surface charges, etc.

LNPs encapsulation: we employ customized protocols to encapsulate drug molecules into LNPs by several different methods with high encapsulation efficiency.

LNPs-drug complex analysis: we can offer comprehensive analysis assays for LNPs before and after encapsulation, which includes visual appearance, size distribution, stability, zeta potential, lamellarity, entrapment efficiency, and release rate.

LNPs-drug biological activity characterization: we can control and analysis the cell uptake efficiency and the cytotoxicity by the lipid structure, charge ratio,etc.

Quotations and Ordering

References

1. Mohamed H, Shifaa M A, Leena K, et al. Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Delivery of Chemotherapeutics: A Review [R]. Pharmaceutics 2020, 12, 288.
2. De Jong W H, Borm PJ A. Drug delivery and nanoparticles: Applications and hazards [J]. International Journal Of Nanomedicine 2008, 3, 133-149.
3. Jansook P, Fülöp Z, Ritthidej G C. Amphotericin B loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carrier (NLCs): Physicochemical and solid-solution state characterizations [J]. Drug Developpment and Industrial Pharmacy. 2019, 45, 560-567.