Lipid Nanoparticles for Dermal Drug Delivery

Lipid nanoparticles are a holistically superior formulation for dermal drug products, which combine effective drug delivery and skin carrying properties at the same time.

Skin is a popular route for the delivery of locally and systemically acting drugs. Although the skin acts as a natural barrier against the penetration of foreign materials, opportunities exist for the delivery of therapeutic nanoparticles.

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are an attractive option for dermal drug delivery. Encapsulating lipophilic active ingredients within LNPs increases the stability of chemically labile active ingredients – and after skin application, LNP formulations form a lipid film known as an ‘invisible patch’, increasing skin hydration and improving dermal penetration. 

Many scientific studies have already proven the superiority of LNPs over classical skin formulations such as emulsions or creams, or nanoemulsions. This drug delivery system is exploited in various cosmeceutical products – and has recently been described as the most successful carrier for skin delivery.

But until now, there has been no proof-of-concept study to investigate if LNPs are indeed a holistically superior formulation principle when compared to other dermal drug delivery strategies.

A Comprehensive Comparison

In a new study, published in Drug Delivery and Translational Research, researchers directly compared all the biopharmaceutical properties of LNPs against classical formulations.¹

The team produced LNPs, a macroemulsion and a nanoemulsion formulation with similar chemical compositions and characterised their physiochemical properties. The macroemulsion was a semi–solid formulation with an average droplet size of 10–15 µm. The nanoemulsion (an oil–in–water emulsion) had a droplet size of around 150 nm, and the LNP formulation had a slightly larger particle size of around 165 nm.

The researchers then determined the biopharmaceutical properties of these formulations and compared to an oily solution. They found that the LNPs provided the best dermal penetration efficiency, chemical stability of the incorporated active ingredient, and the most pronounced skin hydration and skin carrying properties. The LNPs were the only formulation to form an invisible patch on the skin.

The team used ultrapure water generated from an ELGA PURELAB® laboratory water purification system as a dispersion medium to produce the formulations, mimimising the risk of introducing contaminants that may affect their results.

A Superior Formulation

This study confirms the advantages of LNPs – increased chemical stability for chemically labile active ingredients, improved and longer–lasting skin hydration due to the formation of an invisible patch, and improved dermal penetration of lipophilic active ingredients – over classical formulation principles.

The results demonstrate that chemical stability and film formation after dermal application are major prerequisites for effective skin penetration. The chemical stability of the active ingredient must be ensured not only in the packaging container but also during the entire penetration time after dermal application. Film formation increases skin hydration, which improves penetration efficiency.

Future studies are now needed to develop even better LNP formulations with tailor–made skin properties and penetration profiles.

Why Choose ELGA LabWater?

At ELGA LabWater, our expert engineers, chemists and scientists are at the forefront of technological innovation. They continue to introduce game-changing features to the lab water market. 

Reference:

1. Wiemann, S. and Keck, C.M. Are lipid nanoparticles really superior? A holistic proof of concept study. Drug Deliv Transl Res. 2021 doi: 10.1007/s13346-021-01021-5. 

Dr Alison Halliday

After completing an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry & Genetics at Sheffield University, Alison was awarded a PhD in Human Molecular Genetics at the University of Newcastle. She carried out five years as a Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UCL, investigating the genes involved in childhood obesity syndrome. Moving into science communications, she spent ten years at Cancer Research UK engaging the public about the charity’s work. She now specialises in writing about research across the life sciences, medicine and health.