Volume 15 , Issue 1 , August 2025
1 University of SULAIMANI college of medicine, SULAIMANI, Kurdistan region/Iraq
Hyperlipidemia, characterized by elevated levels of lipids in the blood, is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Statins, or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, are the most widely prescribed lipid-lowering agents due to their proven efficacy in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and associated cardiovascular events. However, their therapeutic potential is often hindered by poor bioavailability, dose-dependent side effects, and limited tissue targeting.
To address these challenges, nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems have emerged as a novel approach to enhance the pharmacological performance of statins. Various nanocarriers have been explored to improve statin solubility, stability, and targeted delivery while minimizing systemic toxicity. These include lipid-based nanocarriers (such as solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, and nanoemulsions), polymeric nanoparticles, micelles, nanogels, liposomes, dendrimers, and carbon nanotubes. Each system offers distinct advantages in improving drug encapsulation, controlling release, and enhancing cellular uptake.
This review highlights the pathological basis of hyperlipidemia, the mechanism of statin action, and the promising role of nanocarriers in overcoming current therapeutic limitations. While preclinical findings are promising, further clinical validation is essential for translating these nanomedicine strategies into safe, effective treatments for hyperlipidemia.