Abstract

A REVIEW OF LIPID-POLYMER HYBRID NANOPARTICLES AS A DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Rumpa Das*, Dr. Pulak Deb and Deitilin Lyngdoh

Abstract

Nano technologies have the potential to revolutionize the drug development process and change the landscape of the pharmaceutical industry. It is one of the most extensively explored area in the medical science in the past few decades to develop a functional nanostructures to facilitate the delivery of various therapeutic and imaging agents. Liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles represent two primary delivery vehicles that are being studied. While there are several advantages of these two particle platforms, some intrinsic limitations remain to limit their applications at a certain extent. Recently, a newer drug delivery platform, named lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticle, has been developed that combines the positive attributes of both liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles while excluding most of their shortages. The nanoparticle consists of a hydrophobic polymeric core, a lipid shell surrounding the polymeric core, and a hydrophilic polymer stealth layer outside the lipid shell. In this review, we have discussed about the different method of synthesis of the lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticle, followed by a review of factors and typical characterization of the particles. We then summarize the current and potential medical applications of the nanoparticle as a delivery vehicle.

Keywords: Hybrid nanoparticle, liposome, polymeric nanoparticle, drug delivery vehicle, therapeutic agents.