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Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Self-Nanoemulsification of Healthy Oils to Enhance the Solubility of Lipophilic Drugs
Published on: July 27, 2022
Micellar solubilization of drugs
Carlota Oliveira Rangel-Yagui1, Adalberto Pessoa, Leoberto Costa Tavares
1Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology /FCF, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. corangel@usp.br
Purpose:
Micellar solubilization is a powerful alternative for dissolving hydrophobic drugs in aqueous environments. In this work, we provide an insight into this subject.
Methods:
A concise review of surfactants and micelles applications in pharmacy was carried out.
Results:
Initially, a description of surfactants and aqueous micellar systems is presented. Following, an extensive review on micellar drug solubilization, including both the principles involved on this phenomenon and the work already done regarding solubilization of drugs by micelles is presented. The application of micelles in drug delivery, in order to minimize drug degradation and loss, to prevent harmful side effects, and to increase drug bioavailability, is also presented. Special emphasis is given to the more recent use of polymeric micelles. Finally, we briefly discuss the importance of surfactants and micelles as biological systems models as well as its application in micellar catalysis.
Conclusions:
As can be seen from the review presented, the use of micelles in pharmacy is an important tool that finds numerous applications.
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