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Updated: Dec 12, 2025

Characteristics of Precipitation-formed Polyethylene Glycol Microgels Are Controlled by Molecular Weight of Reactants
Published on: December 23, 2013
Cellular uptake of self-emulsifying drug-delivery systems: polyethylene glycol versus polyglycerol surface
Julian David Friedl1, Christian Steinbring1, Sergey Zaichik1
1Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Innsbruck, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Chemistry & Biomedicine, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.
Abstract:
Aim: Comparison of the impact of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyglycerol (PG) surface decoration on self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS)-membrane interaction and cellular uptake. Materials & methods: PEG-, PEG/PG- and PG-SEDDS were assessed regarding their self-emulsifying properties, surface charge, bile salt fusibility, cellular uptake and interaction with endosome-mimicking membranes. Results: SEDDS exhibited droplet sizes between 150 and 175 nm, a narrow size distribution and self-emulsified within 7 min. Higher PEG-surfactant amounts in SEDDS resulted in charge-shielding and thus in a decrease of ζ potential up to Δ11 mV. The inert PEG-surface hampered bile salt fusion and interfered SEDDS-cell interaction. By reducing the PEG-surfactant amount to 10%, cellular uptake increased twofold compared with PEG-SEDDS containing 40% PEG-surfactant. PG-SEDDS containing no PEG-surfactants showed a threefold increased cellular uptake. Furthermore, complete replacement of PEG-surfactants by PG-surfactants led to enhanced cellular interaction and improved disruption endosome-like membranes. Conclusion: PG-surfactants demonstrated high potential to address PEG-surface associated drawbacks in SEDDS.
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