CONCEPTS OF NANO EMULSION BASED DELIVERY SYSTEM

Shanmugarathinam Alagarsamy; Rajeevkumar Pazhanimuthu; Sugavaneshwararajan Sakthivel; Santhosh Kumar Gnanasekar

doi:10.37022/tjmdr.v6i1.884

Shanmugarathinam Alagarsamy Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University College of Engineering, Bharathidasan Institute of Technology Campus, Anna University, Tiruchirappalli – 620024, Tamil Nadu, India.
Rajeevkumar Pazhanimuthu Kanachur College of Pharmacy, University Road, Natekal, Mangalore,Karnataka-575018.
Sugavaneshwararajan Sakthivel Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University College of Engineering, Bharathidasan Institute of Technology Campus, Anna University, Tiruchirappalli – 620024, Tamil Nadu, India.
Santhosh Kumar Gnanasekar Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University College of Engineering, Bharathidasan Institute of Technology Campus, Anna University, Tiruchirappalli – 620024, Tamil Nadu, India.

DOI https://doi.org/10.37022/tjmdr.v6i1.884

Abstract

Nanoemulsions are advanced colloidal drug delivery systems consisting of two immiscible liquids stabilized by surfactants and co-surfactants, with droplet sizes typically ranging from 20 to 200 nm. Their nanoscale dimensions provide a large interfacial surface area, resulting in improved drug solubilization, enhanced stability, and increased bioavailability compared with conventional emulsions. Nanoemulsions have emerged as promising carriers for the delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs, particularly Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) Class II and IV compounds. These systems enhance drug absorption, facilitate lymphatic transport, reduce first-pass metabolism, and improve therapeutic efficacy in oral, topical, and other delivery routes. This review highlights the fundamental principles of nanoemulsion-based drug delivery systems, including their classification into oil-in-water (O/W), water-in-oil (W/O), and bicontinuous nanoemulsions. The role of formulation components such as oils, surfactants, co-surfactants, and hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) values in achieving optimal stability and performance is discussed. Various preparation techniques, including high-pressure homogenization, ultrasonication, microfluidization, spontaneous emulsification, and phase inversion methods, are reviewed with respect to their advantages and limitations. The significance of pseudo-ternary phase diagrams in formulation optimization and nanoemulsion region identification is also addressed. Furthermore, key characterization parameters such as droplet size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, morphology, viscosity, drug entrapment efficiency, in vitro drug release, and stability studies are summarized. Overall, nanoemulsions represent a versatile and effective platform for enhancing drug delivery and improving therapeutic outcomes in modern pharmaceutical applications.

Keywords: Nanoemulsions, Drug Delivery Systems, Bioavailability Enhancement, Surfactants and Co-surfactants, Pseudo-Ternary Phase Diagram, Nanoemulsion Characterization

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