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. 2022 Aug 15;14(8):1700. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081700

Table 2.

Summary of the properties of the various nanosystems as well as their advantages and limitations.

Nanosystem Size Advantage Limitations References
Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) 50–1000 nm Biocompatible;
Biodegradable;
High drug loading;
Good stability;
Enhanced bioavailability;
Excellent nanocarriers for controlled release and for targeted drug delivery to the reticuloendothelial system.		 Costly and complex methods of preparation;
Expulsion of the drug from the SLNs over time;
Only suitable for loading hydrophobic drugs.		 [16,30,36,37,38]
Liposomes 25–2500 nm Loading simultaneously with two drugs (hydrophobic and hydrophilic);
Easy functionalization of the surface;
Biocompatible;
Low toxicity;
Biodegradable.		 Costly and complex methods of preparation.
Nanoemulsions <100 nm Loading simultaneously with two drugs (hydrophobic and hydrophilic);
Facilitate the bioenhancement of hydrophobic drugs;		 Not form spontaneously;
Considerable energy is required to generate nanoemulsions;
Limited stability;
Lack of controlled release functions;
Tendency to flocculate and coalescent.
Micelles 5–100 nm Easy loading of hydrophobic drug;
Enhanced permeability;
Low toxicity;
Extended blood half-life		 Low loading efficacy;
Instability.
Polymeric nanoparticles <1000 nm High drug loading capacity;
Drug release regulated by selecting;
Appropriate preparation methods;
High stability;
High membrane permeability;
Biodegradable;
Easy functionalization of the surface.		 Costly and complex methods of preparation;
Prone to aggregation and opsonization in the bloodstream;
Need of functionalization.
Polymeric micelles 10–100 nm Easy and high loading hydrophobic drug;
Drug release regulated by polymers structure;
Small size;
Prevention of rapid clearance by reticuloendothelial system;
Low CMC
Easy and cheap preparation;
Biocompatible;
Extended circulation time;
Lower toxicity of a drug;
High stability in vitro and in vivo		 Complex characterization;
Lack of stability in blood;
Limited number of polymers for use;
Lack of suitable methods for scale-up;
Dependency of critical micelle concentration.
Dendrimers 1–10 nm High drug loading capacity;
Small size;
Versatility of surface functionalization.		 High cytotoxicity;
Haemolytic properties;
Non-biodegradable;
Not a good candidate carrier for hydrophilic drugs;
Elimination and metabolism depending on the generation
and materials;
High cost for their synthesis.
Inorganic Nanoparticle 1–100 nm Stimuli-responsive behavior;
Good microbial resistance and good storage properties;
Versatility of surface functionalization.		 Poor data regarding long-term exposure;
Toxicity and instability.
Nanocrystal <500 nm Well-understood and established manufacturing techniques;
Excellent reproducibility;
Applicable to drugs with different solubility profiles;
Suitable for oral administration;		 Requires high energy input that drives up costs;
Needs further modification to ensure stability;
Lack of controlled release functions.		 [39]