Table 1.
Advantages and disadvantages of preparation methods of LNPs.
| Methods | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Hot High-Pressure Homogenization | Large scale production, absence of organic solvent, incorporation of lipophilic and insoluble drugs | Temperature dependent degradation, intricacy of crystallization, unsuitable for heat-sensitive or hydrophilic drugs |
| Cold High-Pressure Homogenization | Suitable method for thermolabile compounds | Large particle size and broader size distribution |
| Ultrasonication | Common laboratory equipment | Wider size distribution, large amount of surfactant required, physical instability |
| Phase Inversion Temperature | Temperature can be reduced by surfactant incorporation, narrow size distribution, high stability | Thermolabile ingredients degradation |
| Precipitation | Rapid and reproducible | Toxicological issues due to solvent residue |
| Coacervation | Simple, avoidance of organic solvent | Applicable only to non-pH dependent drugs and alkaline nature lipids |
| Microemulsion | Scale up method, thermodynamically stable formulation | Multiple steps involved, diluted dispersion acquired |
| Double Emulsion | Applicable to hydrophilic drugs | Large particle size, low entrapment efficiency and drug loading |
| Emulsification | High encapsulation efficiency, low energy input, no thermal stress | Removal of organic solvent |
| Thin Film Hydration | MLVs are prepared, good reproducibility | Low encapsulation efficiency |
| Proliposome | High encapsulation efficiency, fast, simple, large quantity production | Poor reproducibility |
| Ether/Ethanol Injection | Simple, large quantity production, reproducible |
Removal of organic solvent, poor encapsulation (in case of ethanol injection method) |
| Solvent Evaporation | Avoidance of heat | Solvent residue may cause toxicological problems, dilute suspension |
| Solvent Injection | Easy and fast, small droplets | Residual solvent, removal of organic solvent |
| Microfluidization | Laboratory and industrial scale method | High amount of solvent residue |
| Self-emulsifying system | Enhanced solubility, prevent the biodegradation of lipophilic drugs | Low drug loading capacity, drug leakage, low stability |