Lipid-based nanocarriers in topical applications for skin infections

Abstract

Skin infections are a significant healthcare issue, particularly with rising AMR. LBNs like liposomes, SLNs, and NLCs hold promise for enhancing topical drug delivery in treating skin infections. They improve solubility, stability, and sustained release of antimicrobial agents, allowing deeper skin penetration. Their biocompatibility and ability to encapsulate various drugs make them effective against bacterial and fungal infections. However, challenges such as stability issues (aggregation, fusion, sedimentation, and oxidation), regulatory hurdles (lack of specific guidelines), and manufacturing scalability limit their clinical use. This article reviews the benefits, advancements, and challenges of lipid-based nanocarriers for treating skin infections through topical delivery.