title: From nanoemulsions to self-nanoemulsions, with recent advances in self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS).
abstract: Lipid-based drug delivery systems (LBDDS) are the most promising technique to formulate the poorly water soluble drugs. Nanotechnology strongly influences the therapeutic performance of hydrophobic drugs and has become an essential approach in drug delivery research. Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) are a vital strategy that combines benefits of LBDDS and nanotechnology. SNEDDS are now preferred to improve the formulation of drugs with poor aqueous solubility. Areas covered: The review in its first part shortly describes the LBDDS, nanoemulsions and clarifies the ambiguity between nanoemulsions and microemulsions. In the second part, the review discusses SNEDDS and elaborates on the current developments and modifications in this area without discussing their associated preparation techniques and excipient properties. Expert opinion: SNEDDS have exhibit the potential to increase the bioavailability of poorly water soluble drugs. The stability of SNEDDS is further increased by solidification. Controlled release and supersaturation can be achieved, and are associated with increased patient compliance and improved drug loads, respectively. Presence of biodegradable ingredients and ease of large-scale manufacturing combined with a lot of 'drug-targeting opportunities' give SNEDDS a clear distinction and prominence over other solubility enhancement techniques.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmacy , Quaid-i-Azam University , Islamabad , Pakistan.
authors.forename: Fiza Ur
authors.initials: FU
authors.lastname: Rehman
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmacy , Quaid-i-Azam University , Islamabad , Pakistan.
authors.forename: Kifayat Ullah
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4061-8174
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: b Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy , Gomal University , D.I.Khan , Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shefaat Ullah
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3271-2806
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: c Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Government College University Faisalabad , Faisalabad , Pakistan.
authors.forename: Ikram Ullah
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8200-0180
authors.initials: IU
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmacy , Quaid-i-Azam University , Islamabad , Pakistan.
authors.forename: Gul Majid
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3282-1711
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: d Discipline of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Universiti Sains Malaysia , Penang , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Amjad
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6006-4159
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004655:Emulsions / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D036103:Nanotechnology; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004655:Emulsions; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations
keywords: Colloidal dispersions; drug targeting; lipid based drug delivery system (LBDDS); nanoemulsions; self nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS); solubilization