Therapeutic Potential of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Buccal Delivery of Drugs

Buccal drug delivery or drug administration to the mouth cavity present several advantages over traditional oral drug delivery. They offer rapid onset of action and enhanced bioavailability of drugs compared to simple oral delivery. The rapid systemic drug action begins avoiding first-pass liver metabolism via the buccal and sublingual route. Scientists focus on the design of microparticulate and colloidal delivery systems to prolong effect and increase bioavailability of actives by retaining them in the buccal mucosa. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), the second generation of SLN, have also been studying for this purpose-buccal drug delivery and application to the mouth cavity in the last years. These sophisticated colloidal drug delivery systems can combine their own excellent properties and advantages of buccal drug delivery for treatment of several diseases. In this chapter, advantages of SLN and NLC, and new approaches for topical and systemic buccal application of drugs are reviewed.