Advances in microscopy characterization techniques for lipid nanocarriers in drug delivery: a comprehensive review

Mohamed J Saadh; Mohammed Ali Shallan; Uday Abdul-Reda Hussein; Amjed Qasim Mohammed; Saeb Jasim Al-Shuwaili; Mukaram Shikara; Ahmed Ali Ami; Noor Alhuda Mohammad Ali Khalil; Irfan Ahmad; Huda Hayder Abbas; Ahmed Elawady

doi:10.1007/s00210-024-03033-7

Advances in microscopy characterization techniques for lipid nanocarriers in drug delivery: a comprehensive review

Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2024 Mar 9. doi: 10.1007/s00210-024-03033-7. Online ahead of print.

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Pharmacy, Middle East University, Amman, 11831, Jordan.
² College of Dentistry, Al-Mustaqbal University, 51001, Babylon, Iraq.
³ College of Pharmacy, University of Al-Ameed, Karbala, Iraq.
⁴ Department of Dentistry, Al-Manara College for Medical Sciences, Maysan, Iraq.
⁵ Al-Hadi University College, Baghdad, 10011, Iraq.
⁶ College of Dentistry, Al-Esraa University, Baghdad, Iraq.
⁷ Department of Medical Laboratories Technology, Al-Nisour University College, Baghdad, Iraq.
⁸ College of Health and Medical Technology, Al-Ayen University, Thi-Qar, 64001, Iraq.
⁹ Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
¹⁰ College of Pharmacy, National University of Science and Technology, Dhi Qar, Iraq.
¹¹ College of Technical Engineering, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq. elwadiamed@gmail.com.
¹² College of Technical Engineering, The Islamic University of Al Diwaniyah, Al Diwaniyah, Iraq. elwadiamed@gmail.com.
¹³ College of Technical Engineering, The Islamic University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq. elwadiamed@gmail.com.

PMID: 38459989
DOI: 10.1007/s00210-024-03033-7

Abstract

This review paper provides an in-depth analysis of the significance of lipid nanocarriers in drug delivery and the crucial role of characterization techniques. It explores various types of lipid nanocarriers and their applications, emphasizing the importance of microscopy-based characterization methods such as light microscopy, confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The paper also delves into sample preparation, quantitative analysis, challenges, and future directions in the field. The review concludes by underlining the pivotal role of microscopy-based characterization in advancing lipid nanocarrier research and drug delivery technologies.

Keywords: Drug delivery; Imaging techniques; Lipid nanocarriers; Microscopy characterization; Quantitative analysis.

Publication types

Review