3.2 Ligand conjugated solid lipid nanoparticles for passive lungs targeting

Lungs targeted delivery of drugs is a challenging task due to the mucociliary clearance. In this regard, the ligand-anchored DDS not only proves its potential in achieving improved site-specific drug delivery, but also it reduces the chances of drug uptake by reticulo-endothelial system (RES). It is believed to play a major role in congenital defense and exhibit diversified biological activities such as antimicrobial, anticancer, immunomodulation, an exertion to control cell growth, binding, and inhibition of numerous biologically active compounds. However, clinical success of such approaches relies on the choice of appropriate ligand free from immunogenic potential with the potential to provoke cargo internalization by the target cell [19].

The mechanism of receptor mediated endocytosis of ligand anchored SLNs and drug release technique has been shown in Figure 1.
