Nanoemulgels as Advanced Topical Drug Delivery Systems: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Applications in Skin Disorders, Infections, Wound Healing, and Cancer

TL;DR

Nanoemulgels are advanced drug delivery systems that improve topical treatment for skin disorders, infections, wound healing, and cancer by enhancing drug penetration and patient compliance.

Contribution

This review introduces nanoemulgels as a novel hybrid system combining nanoemulsions and gels for improved topical drug delivery.

Findings

Nanoemulgels enhance drug penetration through the skin by overcoming the stratum corneum barrier.

They offer prolonged drug residence time and improved patient compliance for dermatological applications.

The review highlights formulation methods and characterization techniques for evaluating nanoemulgel performance.

Abstract

Nanoemulgels have emerged as a promising hybrid drug delivery system that integrates the advantages of nanoemulsions and gels, offering enhanced drug penetration, prolonged residence time, and improved patient compliance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the therapeutic applications of nanoemulgels in wound healing, microbial infections, skin cancer, and various dermatological disorders. The article begins with an overview of skin architecture and its implications for cutaneous drug delivery, followed by a clear distinction between transdermal and topical drug delivery systems. The mechanisms of drug transport into and through the skin are discussed in detail, highlighting the role of nano-sized carriers, particularly nanoemulsions, in overcoming the stratum corneum barrier. Mechanistic insights into nanocarrier-mediated cutaneous drug transport and their versatility as dermal delivery platforms are described. The formulation aspects of nanoemulgels, including their components and both high-energy and low-energy methods for nanoemulsion preparation, are critically discussed to elucidate their impact on formulation performance. An overview of in vitro characterization techniques and biological screening methods employed to evaluate nanoemulgel performance is presented, along with a tabulated compilation of relevant patents to highlight translational progress. Finally, current challenges, regulatory considerations, and future perspectives are discussed, underscoring the potential of nanoemulgels as a versatile and effective platform for advanced topical drug delivery.

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