Nanoemulgel as an approach to improve the biopharmaceutical performance of lipophilic drugs: Contemporary research and application

The vast majority (>= 40%) of new drugs developed in drug discovery research or high-throughput screening are poorly aqueous soluble and lipophilic in nature. This lipophilic nature of the new drugs results in poor ab-sorption, low bioavailability, and inconsistent pharmacokinetics profile. Novel drug delivery systems (NDDS) are being investigated to improve the pharmacokinetics profile of drugs having poor biopharmaceutical perfor-mance. Currently, there is an increased interest in lipid-based NDDS has been observed. Nanoemulgel (NEG), as an emerging lipid-based NDDS, has demonstrated astonishing benefits for drugs having poor biopharmaceutical attributes compared to conventional formulation. NEG is an example of semi-solid dosage forms consisting of oil/ water nanoemulsion (NE) incorporated into the gel matrix to improve the therapeutic outcomes and pharma-cokinetic profile of the lipophilic drug. Recently, an increasing trend in applying NEG has been observed, owing to the improved acceptability of the formulation by patients due to its non-invasive delivery, its ease of appli-cation, and its safety profile. In this review, we have s discussed the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamic, and safety profile of lipophilic drugs loaded in the NEG system. Furthermore, the current potential and future scope of the NEG system in terms of becoming a reliable delivery system are also discussed here.

Automated summary

The majority of new drugs developed in drug discovery research or high-throughput screening have poor solubility and lipophilic nature, leading to low bioavailability and inconsistent pharmacokinetics. Lipid-based Novel Drug Delivery Systems (NDDS) have gained increased interest in improving the pharmacokinetics of these drugs. Nanoemulgel (NEG), a lipid-based NDDS, has shown remarkable benefits for lipophilic drugs compared to conventional formulations. Its non-invasive delivery, ease of application, and safety profile contribute to its growing popularity. This review discusses the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety profile of lipophilic drugs loaded in the NEG system, as well as its potential and future scope as a reliable delivery system.