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Role of Lipid Nanocarriers in Lymphatic Targeting: Promises and Safety Considerations

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Nanocarriers: Drug Delivery System

Abstract

The lymphatic system is an added circulatory system present in the body and has a significant role in the identification of immune system and its reaction to a disease. The treatment of disease of the lymphatic system requires drug administration to desired delivery site so that adverse effects are minimized because of nonspecific spread throughout the body. Moreover, for the drugs undergoing extensive hepatic first-pass metabolism, promoting the absorption through the lymphatic route proves to be an effective way for oral bioavailability enhancement. Different types of nanocarriers have been investigated for their ability to target the drug to the lymphatics. In spite of promising applications of nanomedicine, there are certain issues such as the fate of nanoparticles after lymphatic absorption and the potential toxicity concerns, which need to be addressed. Since nanoparticles possess extremely small size and large surface area, there is a drastic change in the physicochemical properties as well as distribution pattern of drug in the body. Moreover, nonbiodegradable nanocarriers may accumulate in human tissues and organs leading to toxicity. This chapter focuses on the importance of lymphatic targeting, various nanocarrier-based approaches and their mechanisms, factors affecting lymphatic transport, and their safety and toxicity evaluation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ramanbhai Patel College of Pharmacy, Charotar University of Science and Technology, Changa, Gujarat, India

    Jagruti L. Desai

  2. Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India

    Hetal P. Thakkar

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Correspondence to Hetal P. Thakkar .

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  1. Department of Pharmacy, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Piparia, Vadodara, Gujarat, India

    Nirmal Shah

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Desai, J.L., Thakkar, H.P. (2021). Role of Lipid Nanocarriers in Lymphatic Targeting: Promises and Safety Considerations. In: Shah, N. (eds) Nanocarriers: Drug Delivery System. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4497-6_2

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