Abstract

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) are a practically feasible, emerging novel drug delivery system for targeted and sustained drug delivery. SLN have many advantages over the conventional drug delivery system as well as other novel drug delivery systems. Biocompatbility, less toxicity, sustained release, increase in drug stability, drug targeting, scale-up possibility, and the ability to incorporate both lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs are the significant advantages of SLN. Due to the capability to incorporate both lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs, SLN are emerging as potential drug delivery carriers for herbal drugs. Because of tremedous research in the field of herbal drugs, new molecules have been derived from herbal sources, especially anti-cancer molecules. Herbal drugs and extracts have the potential to treat different diseases. However, the stability of the herbal drug formulation and drug concentration at the target site are the major obstacles in using herbal drugs. Many herbal drugs have shown promising activity for respiratory diseases. To achieve the desired concentration of the drug at the target site of the lung, there is need of a novel drug delivery system. SLN have been demonstrated as a potential carrier for delivery of drugs to the lungs to get the desired effect of the drugs. The capability of SLN to graft with ligand molecules enhances therapeutic index and site specific drug delivery. SLN can be formulated into aerosol products for pulmonary delivery, which is one of the most requisite parameters for respiratory delivery of SLN. Therefore, SLN are promising carriers for herbal drugs to treat asthma, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis, lung cancer, etc. In this chapter, we will discuss the various aspects of SLN for pulmonary delivery of herbal drugs and their evaluation.