AUTHOR=Suhail Nida , Alzahrani A. Khuzaim , Basha W. Jamith , Kizilbash Nadeem , Zaidi Arsalan , Ambreen Jaweria , Khachfe Hassan M. TITLE=Microemulsions: Unique Properties, Pharmacological Applications, and Targeted Drug Delivery JOURNAL=Frontiers in Nanotechnology VOLUME=3 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nanotechnology/articles/10.3389/fnano.2021.754889 DOI=10.3389/fnano.2021.754889 ISSN=2673-3013 ABSTRACT=

Microemulsions, comprising oil, water and a surfactant, in association with some co-surfactant, are thermodynamically stable systems. They have found applications in a large number of chemical and pharmacological processes due to their unique properties such as large interfacial area, low interfacial tension, and most importantly, the ability to solubilize and deliver hydrophobic drugs. In addition to the oral and intravenous route, they are suitable for drug delivery through the ophthalmic, vaginal, pulmonary, dental, and topical routes. This review highlights the properties and several recent developments in the use of microemulsions for medical treatment purposes including targeted drug delivery.