Abstract

MICROEMULSION: A NOVEL DRUG DELIVERY

*S. U. Shinde, P. R. Shewale, A. A. Sheikh and K. R. Biyani

ABSTRACT

In last few decades, the treatment of several diseases has been accomplished by administering drug to human body via various routes, namely, oral, sublingual, rectal, parental etc. The improvement of bio-availability of drugs is one of the greatest challenges in drug formulations. Now a day Microemulsion is an emerging trade and having worldwide importance in a variety of technological applications. Microemulsions are excellent candidates as potential drug delivery system because of their improved drug solubilization, long shelf life and ease of preparation and administration. The term "Microemulsion" refers to a thermodynamically stable isotropically clear dispersion of two immiscible liquids, such as oil and water, stabilized by an interfacial film of surfactant molecule. These applications include enhanced oil recovery, combustion, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, metal cutting, lubrication, food, enzymatic catalysis, organic and bio-organic reactions, chemical synthesis of nanoparticles etc. The Microemulsion formulations consist of one or more surfactants in combination with co-surfactant and drug dissolved in oil. Oils form a distinct core in the interior of the surfactant aggregate, resulting in enhanced solubilizing capacity of the oils with improved drug loading capacities of the Microemulsion.

Keywords: Microemulsions, Novel carriers, Surfactants, Cosurfactants, Theories etc.