Lipid Nanocapsules: Latest Advances and Applications

Lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) are core-shell structures composed of an oily liquid triglyceride core surrounded by a surfactant rigid membrane. LNCs are versatile carriers that can be obtained by a single-step phase inversion temperature method and be finely tuned in terms of particle size with prolonged colloid stability in suspension. They can exploit distinct formulation strategies to include both lipophilic and hydrophilic cargoes or to improve their extended-release properties by gelling. More recently, LNCs have also been used as a cargo themselves to be included in supra-drug delivery systems. All these distinct formulation approaches and their main applications are described in detail in this chapter. As a proof of their versatility, LNCs have been tested following administration by multiple routes (such as intravenous, subconjunctival, intranasal, oral, pulmonary, topical or intradermal), where their potential use as not only therapeutic but also as diagnostic tools has been tested.