Solid lipid nanoparticles based drug delivery for major infectious diseases: A narrative review

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have long been recognized as a promising and versatile lipid-based drug delivery system. This approach offers an alternative to conventional drug delivery methods by utilizing nanocarriers while overcoming many of their inherent limitations. SLNs possess several advantages, including ease of fabrication, scalability for commercial production, low toxicity, a large encapsulation capacity, and suitability for oral administration. However, research on the application of SLNs in infectious diseases remains highly fragmented. This review aims to consolidate current knowledge on the effectiveness of SLNs in delivering drugs to treat infections caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Particular attention is given to diseases associated with Mycobacterium, ESKAPE pathogens, Candida spp., Fusarium spp., HIV, SARS-CoV-2, Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma spp., and Plasmodium spp. Additionally, this review highlights key studies published by various research groups investigating SLN-based drug delivery for these pathogens and diseases.