Recent Advances and Challenges in Lipid-Polymer Hybrid Nanocarriers for Oral Drug Delivery

Abstract

Lipid-polymer hybrid nanocarriers (LPHNPs) have gained significant attention in oral-drug delivery due to their ability to combine polymeric nanoparticles' structural integrity with the biocompatibility and enhanced permeability of lipid-based carriers. These hybrid nanocarriers offer improved drug stability, controlled release, and enhanced bioavailability, making them a promising platform for delivering a wide range of therapeutic agents. Despite these promising features, several challenges prevent their clinical translation. Further studies should focus on developing scalable and reproducible fabrication techniques, optimizing surface functionalization strategies, and conducting in-depth toxicological studies to confirm the effective and safe clinical application of LPHNPs. Addressing these limitations will successfully translate LPHNPs into clinical practice, offering a revolutionary approach to oral drug delivery. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the structural elucidation and classification of LPHNPs, with various fabrication methods and recent advances in LPHNP synthesis and surface functionalization in enhancing drug targeting, mucoadhesion, and circulation time. Additionally, recent advancements in the therapeutic applications of LPHNPs for improving oral bioavailability are highlighted, showcasing their potential to address solubility and permeability challenges.