Mucus permeating self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS): About the impact of mucolytic enzymes
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 19, 2026

Self-Nanoemulsification of Healthy Oils to Enhance the Solubility of Lipophilic Drugs
Published on: July 27, 2022
Nuri Ari Efiana1, Thi Nhu Quynh Phan2, Arko Jatmiko Wicaksono3
1Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Pharmacy, Leopold-Franzens University Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Jl. Prof. Dr. Soepomo, S.H., Janturan, Warungboto, Umbulharjo, Yogyakarta 55164, Indonesia.
Abstract:
This study aimed to improve the mucus permeating properties of self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) by anchoring lipidized bromelain, papain and trypsin using palmitoyl chloride. SEDDS containing enzyme-palmitate conjugates were characterized regarding droplet size and zeta potential. Their mucus permeating properties were evaluated by Transwell diffusion and rotating tube method using fluorescein diacetate (FDA) as marker. Degree of substitution of modified enzymes was 35.3%, 47.8% and 38.5% for bromelain-palmitate, papain-palmitate and trypsin-palmitate, respectively. SEDDS as control and SEDDS containing enzyme-palmitate conjugates displayed a droplet size less than 50nm and 180-312nm as well as a zeta potential of -3 to -4 and -4 to -5mV, respectively. The highest percentage of permeation was achieved by introducing 5% papain-palmitate into SEDDS. It could enhance the mucus permeation of SEDDS in porcine intestinal mucus 4.6-fold and 2-fold as evaluated by Transwell diffusion and rotating tube method, respectively. It is concluded that mucus permeation of SEDDS can be strongly improved by incorporation of enzyme-palmitate conjugates.
Related Concept Videos
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Drug Permeability, Stability and Stereochemistry
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Particle Size and Effective Surface Area
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Solubility Enhancement
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Permeability Enhancement
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Stability Enhancement and GI Retention
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Influencing Factors

