Solid–lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers act as delivery systems for a wide range of molecules used in diagnostics and therapeutics. These nanocarriers may enhance the solubility and permeability of drugs, increase their bioavailability, and extend the residence time in the body, combining low toxicity with targeted delivery. Nanostructured lipid carriers are emerging as the second generation of lipid nanoparticles, differing from solid lipid nanoparticles in their composition matrix. The use of a liquid lipid together with a solid lipid in nanostructured lipid carrier allows it to load a higher amount of drug, enhance drug release properties, and increase its stability. In this work, Pedro Fonte from IBB and co-workers in collaboration with researchers from India and Pakistan performed a comparative review between solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers in what concerns the production methodologies, physicochemical characterization, and in vitro and in vivo performance of these drug carriers.
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