Nanoemulsions as potential vehicles for transdermal and dermal delivery of hydrophobic compounds: an overview.
BACKGROUND
In recent years, nanoemulsions have been investigated as potential drug delivery vehicles for transdermal and dermal delivery of many compounds especially hydrophobic compounds in order to avoid clinical adverse effects associated with oral delivery of the same compounds. Droplet size and surface properties of nanoemulsions play an important role in the biological behavior of the formulation.


METHODS
In this review, current literature of transdermal and dermal delivery of hydrophobic compounds both in vitro as well as in vivo has been summarized and analyzed.


CONCLUSIONS
Nanoemulsions have been formulated using a variety of pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. In many cases of dermal and transdermal nanoemulsions, the skin irritation or skin toxicity issues on human beings have not been considered which needs to be evaluated properly. In the last decade, much attention has been made in exploring new types of nanoemulsion-based drug delivery system for dermal and transdermal delivery of many hydrophobic compounds. This area of research would be very advantageous for formulation scientists in order to develop some nanoemulsion-based formulations for their commercial exploitation and clinical applications.
King Saud University, Center of Excellence in Biotechnology Research, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
Faiyaz
F
Shakeel
Sheikh
S
Shafiq
Nazrul
N
Haq
Fars K
FK
Alanazi
Ibrahim A
IA
Alsarra
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry*; D005079:Excipients / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects*; D012869:Skin Absorption; D013499:Surface Properties
D004655:Emulsions; D005079:Excipients