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Updated: May 22, 2026

Self-Nanoemulsification of Healthy Oils to Enhance the Solubility of Lipophilic Drugs

Self-Nanoemulsification of Healthy Oils to Enhance the Solubility of Lipophilic Drugs

Published on: July 27, 2022

Natural microemulsions: formulation design and skin interaction.

Julia C Schwarz¹, Victoria Klang, Magdalena Hoppel

¹Research Platform Characterisation of Drug Delivery Systems on Skin and Investigation of Involved Mechanisms, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. julia.schwarz@univie.ac.at

European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics : Official Journal of Arbeitsgemeinschaft Fur Pharmazeutische Verfahrenstechnik E.V

|May 8, 2012

Summary

This study compares natural surfactants for microemulsions, finding lecithin-based systems enhance skin drug delivery. These biodegradable surfactants form stable microemulsions, improving stratum corneum interaction and drug permeation.

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Published on: July 27, 2022

In vitro Digestion of Emulsions in a Single Droplet via Multi Subphase Exchange of Simulated Gastrointestinal Fluids

In vitro Digestion of Emulsions in a Single Droplet via Multi Subphase Exchange of Simulated Gastrointestinal Fluids

Published on: November 18, 2022

Area of Science:

Colloid and Surface Science
Dermatological Drug Delivery
Materials Science

Background:

Microemulsions offer stable, colloidal drug delivery.
Natural, skin-compatible, and biodegradable surfactants are sought for advanced formulations.
Understanding surfactant-skin interactions is crucial for effective topical delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare natural surfactants (lecithin, sucrose laurate, alkylpolyglycoside) for microemulsion formation.
To evaluate the skin interaction of these microemulsions at a molecular level.
To assess the impact of microemulsions on the skin permeation of model drugs.

Main Methods:

Construction of pseudoternary phase diagrams for single and mixed surfactant systems.
Analysis of stratum corneum interaction using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR).
In vitro skin permeation studies using porcine skin with flufenamic acid and fluconazole.

Main Results:

Lecithin, sucrose laurate, and their mixture formed extensive isotropic microemulsion areas.
ATR-FTIR revealed microemulsions induced hexagonal lipid chain arrangements and altered packing in the stratum corneum.
Lecithin-based microemulsions exhibited the highest permeation rates for both model drugs.

Conclusions:

Natural surfactants like lecithin are suitable for forming stable microemulsions for drug delivery.
Microemulsions interact with the stratum corneum, potentially enhancing drug penetration.
Lecithin-based microemulsions demonstrate superior performance for topical drug permeation.