SOLID LIPID NANOPARTICLES AS ADVANCED NANOCARRIERS FOR IMPROVING THE ORAL DELIVERY AND HYPOLIPIDEMIC EFFICACY

Hyperlipidemia is a major metabolic disorder characterized by elevated circulating lipids and lipoproteins and is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Although conventional hypolipidemic agents, including statins and fibrates, are therapeutically effective, their oral performance may be constrained by poor aqueous solubility, limited dissolution, gastrointestinal instability, variable intestinal absorption, and presystemic metabolism. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have emerged as promising nanocarriers capable of addressing several of these biopharmaceutical limitations. This review critically examines the application of SLNs as advanced delivery systems for improving the oral delivery and hypolipidemic efficacy of therapeutic agents. The review discusses the fundamental characteristics and formulation principles of SLNs, including lipid selection, surfactants, drug incorporation, manufacturing approaches, and critical formulation variables. Particular emphasis is placed on the mechanisms underlying enhanced oral delivery, including improved drug solubilization, dissolution, gastrointestinal stability, intestinal permeation, cellular interaction, and potential lymphatic transport. The application of SLNs for delivering statins, fibrates, and hypolipidemic phytoconstituents is further examined with emphasis on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic improvements. In addition, current challenges involving physical stability, lipid polymorphism, drug expulsion, scale-up, manufacturing reproducibility, and regulatory translation are critically considered. Emerging opportunities involving surface engineering, combination therapy, computational formulation optimization, and comparative development with other lipid nanocarriers are also discussed. Overall, SLNs offer a versatile platform for enhancing oral hypolipidemic drug delivery; however, systematic pharmacokinetic, safety, and clinically relevant pharmacodynamic investigations are essential to establish their translational value and therapeutic significance.