Lipid-Based Nanocarriers for Modulating Adipogenesis and Lipid Metabolism: Emerging Anti-Obesity Strategies

Bwambale Isaac

Biomedical Department Kampala International University Uganda

Email: isaac.bwambale@studwc.kiu.ac.ug

ABSTRACT

Obesity is characterized by chronic energy surplus, hypertrophic and hyperplastic expansion of white adipose tissue, ectopic lipid deposition and complex disturbances in lipid and glucose metabolism. Pharmacologic approaches that directly modulate adipogenesis, lipogenesis, lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation have often been limited by poor solubility, low oral bioavailability and off-target effects of many candidate compounds, including natural products and nucleic-acid-based agents. Lipid-based nanocarriers such as liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, nanoemulsions and lipid nanoparticles provide a versatile platform to overcome these limitations by enhancing solubility, protecting labile cargos and improving delivery to adipose tissue and metabolic organs. This review highlights the pathophysiological rationale for targeting adipogenesis and lipid metabolism in obesity and explains how lipid-based nanocarriers can be engineered to modulate these processes. We describe major nanocarrier classes and design features, discuss mechanisms through which they influence adipocyte differentiation and lipid handling, and summarize preclinical evidence for lipid-based delivery of small molecules, nutraceuticals, endogenous lipids and nucleic acids. Finally, we address safety, scalability, regulatory issues and future directions toward precision, adipose-targeted nano-therapies for obesity.

Keywords: Obesity; Adipogenesis; Lipid metabolism; Lipid-based nanocarriers; Nanomedicine

CITE AS: Bwambale Isaac (2026). Lipid-Based Nanocarriers for Modulating Adipogenesis and Lipid Metabolism: Emerging Anti-Obesity Strategies. RESEARCH INVENTION JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN MEDICAL SCIENCES 5(1):1-8. https://doi.org/10.59298/RIJRMS/2026/511800