ABSTRACT

Some of the criteria for selection of a viable nanocarrier formulation currently being explored are the development of a site-specific and bioavailable formulation. Although the literature reports a variety of techniques for fabrication of nanocarrier systems, their stability and scale-up issues are a concern for their prominence in the pharmaceutical industry. The other widely recognized drawbacks of nanoparticulates, i.e., polymeric nanoparticles and lipid vesicular nanoparticles (liposomes), are low circulatory half-lives due to reticuloendothelial system (RES) uptake and leaky architecture leading to burst kinetics. Polymeric lipid hybrid nanoparticles (PLHNs) or lipomers are the recent advancement in nanodrug delivery systems composed of a polymeric core and lipid shell which imparts physicochemical stability and biocompatibility to the nanoparticles. The lipomers are a blend of positive attributes of both liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles wherein their individual innate flaws are negated. An extensive study of PLHN was engineered using single/two or multiple methods carried out for encapsulation efficiency, physicochemical properties, and stability. The influence of shape and composition of PLHN has also shown promising results in terms of reticuloendothelial uptake. These PLHNs have shown to hold a promising place in designing drug delivery systems for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases as well as for theranostic purposes. The present review article encompasses various types of PLHNs, their physicochemical characteristics, and their applications as future perspectives in strategizing drug delivery to their desired sites of action.