Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems: An overview

Abstract

The oral route is most preferred for the administration of medications due to a painless approach. However, oral administration of lipophilic drugs presents a great challenge due to the low solubility of these compounds in water. Self-emulsification drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) alone have been touted for their ability to increase the solubility and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. It can be administered orally in soft or hard gelatin capsules. These systems form fine emulsions (or micro-emulsions) in gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) with mild agitation provided by gastric mobility. Surfactant concentration, oil to surfactant ratio, polarity of emulsion, droplet size and charge on droplet these parameter plays a critical role in oral absorption of drug from SEDDS. This formulation increases bioavailability due to the higher solubility of the drug and minimizes gastric irritation. The fact that almost 40% of the new drugs are hydrophobic in nature means that studies with SEDDS will continue and that more active compounds in the form of SEDDS will enter the pharmaceutical market in the future.