Context: Nanostructured lipid carrier (NLCs) is the second generation solid lipid nanoparticles (NPs) made up of physiological, biocompatible, biodegradable, non-sensitizing and non-irritating lipids.
Objective: The main objective of this review is to explore the role of NLCs system for delivering drugs by oral route and thus increasing the oral bioavailability.
Methods: The present review article highlights the definition and types of NLCs and their importance as colloidal carriers including the production techniques and their formulation. This review article also deals with the fate of lipids used in the NLCs formulation and the NLCs toxicity.
Conclusion: On the basis of the literature survey done, it was concluded that the NLCs enhances the oral bioavailability of the drug and may decrease the side effects and toxicity of the lipids used in other polymeric NPs as NLCs uses physiological and biodegradable lipids.
Keywords: Bioavailability; biocompatibility; hydrophilic drugs; loading capacity; nano structured lipid carriers.