Abstract

REVIEW ON FORMULATION OF MICROEMULSION AS NOVEL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Prathamesh P. Kulkarni* and Pratima S. Shinde

ABSTRACT

Microemulsion is defined as the isotropic thermodynamically stable transparent system of oil water surfactant and co surfactant which having very small droplets size (20-200nm). Microemulsions are isotropic, thermodynamically stable transparent (or translucent) systems of oil, water and surfactant, frequently in combination with a cosurfactant with a droplet size usually in the range of 20-200 nm. They can be classified as oil-in-water (o/w), water-in-oil (w/o) or bicontinuous systems depending on their structure and are characterized by ultra low interfacial tension between oil and water phases. To date microemulsions have been shown to be able to protect labile drug, control drug release, increase drug solubility, increase bioavailability and reduce patient variability. Furthermore, it has proven possible to formulate preparations suitable for most routes of administration. Since the discovery of microemulsions, they have attained increasing significance both in basic research and in industry. Due to their unique properties, namely, ultralow interfacial tension, large interfacial area, thermodynamic stability and the ability to solubilise otherwise immiscible liquids, uses and applications of microemulsions have been numerous. Microemulsions are readily distinguished from normal emulsions by their transparency, low viscosity and more fundamentally their thermodynamic stability. Microemulsions are shown to be effective dermal delivery mechanism for several active ingredients for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. Topical microemulsions allow rapid penetration of active molecules due to the large surface area of the internal phase, and their components reduce the barrier property of stratum corneum. Microemulsions thereby enhance dermal absorption compared with conventional formulations and are therefore a promising vehicle due to their potential for transdermal drug delivery.

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