MICROEMULSIONBASED DELIVERY SYSTEMS FOR PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOUNDS: FORMULATION STRATEGIES AND BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS

Authors

  • Shanmugarathinam Alagarsamy Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University College of Engineering, Bharathidasan Institute of Technology Campus, Anna University, Tiruchirappalli – 620024, Tamil Nadu, India.
  • Rajeevkumar Pazhanimuthu Kanachur College of Pharmacy, University Road, Natekal, Mangalore, Karnataka-575018.
  • Poornasri Raja Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University College of Engineering, Bharathidasan Institute of Technology Campus, Anna University, Tiruchirappalli – 620024, Tamil Nadu, India.
  • Santhosh Kumar Gnanasekar Kanachur College of Pharmacy, University Road, Natekal, Mangalore, Karnataka-575018.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47957/ijciar.v9i1.215

Keywords:

Phytochemicals, Microemulsion, Nano drug delivery, Bioavailability enhancement, Thermodynamic stability, Encapsulation efficiency, Controlled release, Pharmacokinetics

Abstract

  1. Al-Adham, I. S. I., N. Jaber, M. Al-Remawi, et al. “A Review of the Antimicrobial Activity of Thermodynamically Stable Microemulsions.” Letters in Applied Microbiology 75, no. 3 (2022): 537–47. https://doi.org/10.1111/lam.13570.
  2. Atanasov, Atanas G., Birgit Waltenberger, Eva-Maria Pferschy-Wenzig, et al. “Discovery and Resupply of Pharmacologically Active Plant-Derived Natural Products: A Review.” Biotechnology Advances 33, no. 8 (2015): 1582–614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2015.08.001.
  3. Calderó, Gabriela, Alessandro Patti, Meritxell Llinàs, and Maria José García-Celma. “Diffusion in Highly Concentrated Emulsions.” Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science 17, no. 5 (2012): 255–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cocis.2012.07.001.
  4. Danaei, M., M. Dehghankhold, S. Ataei, et al. “Impact of Particle Size and Polydispersity Index on the Clinical Applications of Lipidic Nanocarrier Systems.” Pharmaceutics 10, no. 2 (2018): 57. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics10020057.
  5. Ghosh, P., and R. Murthy. “Microemulsions: A Potential Drug Delivery System.” Current Drug Delivery 3, no. 2 (2006): 167–80. https://doi.org/10.2174/156720106776359168.
  6. Gunarto, Chintya, Yi-Hsu Ju, Jindrayani Nyoo Putro, et al. “Effect of a Nonionic Surfactant on the Pseudoternary Phase Diagram and Stability of Microemulsion.” Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data 65, no. 8 (2020): 4024–33. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jced.0c00341.
  7. He, Cai-Xia, Zhong-Gui He, and Jian-Qing Gao. “Microemulsions as Drug Delivery Systems to Improve the Solubility and the Bioavailability of Poorly Water-Soluble Drugs.” Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery 7, no. 4 (2010): 445–60. https://doi.org/10.1517/17425241003596337.
  8. Karasulu, H. Yesim. “Microemulsions as Novel Drug Carriers: The Formation, Stability, Applications and Toxicity.” Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery 5, no. 1 (2008): 119–35. https://doi.org/10.1517/17425247.5.1.119.
  9. Kim, D., Y. Jeong, C. Choi, et al. “Retinol-Encapsulated Low Molecular Water-Soluble Chitosan Nanoparticles.” International Journal of Pharmaceutics 319, nos. 1–2 (2006): 130–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2006.03.040.
  10. Kim, Jin Hee, Boluwatife Olamide Dareowolabi, Rekha Thiruvengadam, and Eun-Yi Moon. “Application of Nanotechnology and Phytochemicals in Anticancer Therapy.” Pharmaceutics 16, no. 9 (2024): 1169. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16091169.
  11. Kumar, Shashank, and Abhay K. Pandey. “Chemistry and Biological Activities of Flavonoids: An Overview.” The Scientific World Journal 2013, no. 1 (2013): 162750. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/162750.
  12. Lawrence, M. Jayne, and Gareth D. Rees. “Microemulsion-Based Media as Novel Drug Delivery Systems.” Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 45, no. 1 (2000): 89–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-409X(00)00103-4.
  13. Liu, Rui Hai. “Health Benefits of Fruit and Vegetables Are from Additive and Synergistic Combinations of Phytochemicals.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 78, no. 3 (2003): 517S-520S. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/78.3.517S.
  14. Ma, Qiumin, P. Michael Davidson, and Qixin Zhong. “Antimicrobial Properties of Microemulsions Formulated with Essential Oils, Soybean Oil, and Tween 80.” International Journal of Food Microbiology 226 (June 2016): 20–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2016.03.011.
  15. Morais Diane, Jacqueline M., and J. Burgess. “Vitamin E Nanoemulsions Characterization and Analysis.” International Journal of Pharmaceutics 465, nos. 1–2 (2014): 455–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2014.02.034.
  16. Moss, Robert A., Tsunehisa Fujita, and Yukihisa Okumura. “Dynamics of a Bolaamphiphilic Lipid in a Bilayer Liposome.” Langmuir 7, no. 11 (1991): 2415–18. https://doi.org/10.1021/la00059a001.
  17. Pagliaro, Beniamino, Caterina Santolamazza, Francesca Simonelli, and Speranza Rubattu. “Phytochemical Compounds and Protection from Cardiovascular Diseases: A State of the Art.” BioMed Research International 2015 (2015): 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/918069.
  18. Pereira, Daniel T., Douglas Dourado, Danielle T. Freire, et al. “Quality by Design Optimization of Microemulsions for Topical Delivery of Passiflora Setacea Seed Oil.” Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology 16 (November 2025): 2116–31. https://doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.16.146.
  19. Pietta, Pier-Giorgio. “Flavonoids as Antioxidants.” Journal of Natural Products 63, no. 7 (2000): 1035–42. https://doi.org/10.1021/np9904509.
  20. Qu, Jiepeng, Yinhua Wan, Maozhang Tian, and Weifeng Lv. “Microemulsions Based on Diverse Surfactant Molecular Structure: Comparative Analysis and Mechanistic Study.” Processes 11, no. 12 (2023): 3409. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11123409.
  21. Qureshi, Kamal A., Salman A. A. Mohammed, Omar Khan, Hussein M. Ali, Mahmoud Z. El-Readi, and Hamdoon A. Mohammed. “Cinnamaldehyde-Based Self-Nanoemulsion (CA-SNEDDS) Accelerates Wound Healing and Exerts Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Rats’ Skin Burn Model.” Molecules 27, no. 16 (2022): 5225. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27165225.
  22. Rodrigo, Ramón, Catalina Retamal, Denisse Schupper, et al. “Antioxidant Cardioprotection against Reperfusion Injury: Potential Therapeutic Roles of Resveratrol and Quercetin.” Molecules 27, no. 8 (2022): 2564. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27082564.
  23. Santos, P., A. C. Watkinson, J. Hadgraft, and M. E. Lane. “Application of Microemulsions in Dermal and Transdermal Drug Delivery.” Skin Pharmacology and Physiology 21, no. 5 (2008): 246–59. https://doi.org/10.1159/000140228.
  24. Singh, Yuvraj, Jaya Gopal Meher, Kavit Raval, et al. “Nanoemulsion: Concepts, Development and Applications in Drug Delivery.” Journal of Controlled Release 252 (April 2017): 28–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2017.03.008.
  25. Souto, Eliana B., Amanda Cano, Carlos Martins-Gomes, Tiago E. Coutinho, Aleksandra Zielińska, and Amélia M. Silva. “Microemulsions and Nanoemulsions in Skin Drug Delivery.” Bioengineering 9, no. 4 (2022): 158. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9040158.
  26. Thacker, Hency, and Vijay Ram. “Medicinal Properties of Phytochemicals: A Review.” Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 13, no. 2 (2024): 78–82. https://doi.org/10.22271/phyto.2024.v13.i2a.14873.
  27. Thompson, C., D. Hansford, S. Higgins, C. Rostron, G. Hutcheon, and D. Munday. “Evaluation of Ibuprofen-Loaded Microspheres Prepared from Novel Copolyesters.” International Journal of Pharmaceutics 329, nos. 1–2 (2007): 53–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2006.08.019.
  28. Torchilin, V. “Multifunctional Nanocarriers☆.” Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 58, no. 14 (2006): 1532–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2006.09.009.
  29. Yamini, S., Ammar Ahmed, Kailash P. Rajpurohit, G. Priya, and R. Vinoth Kumar. “Phytochemicals as Biopharmaceuticals: Unlocking Mechanisms for Disease Prevention and Treatment.” In Plant Molecular Farming, edited by Rajarshi Kumar Gaur, Ramwant Gupta, Dinesh Yadav, and Benedicte Riber Albrectsen. Springer Nature Singapore, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-3823-2_3.
  30. Zhang, Guo-Hai, Wen-Bin Xue, Yun-Feng An, et al. “Distinct Novel Quinazolinone Exhibits Selective Inhibition in MGC-803 Cancer Cells by Dictating Mutant P53 Function.” European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 95 (May 2015): 377–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2015.03.053.

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References

Al-Adham, I. S. I., N. Jaber, M. Al-Remawi, et al. “A Review of the Antimicrobial Activity of Thermodynamically Stable Microemulsions.” Letters in Applied Microbiology 75, no. 3 (2022): 537–47. https://doi.org/10.1111/lam.13570.

Atanasov, Atanas G., Birgit Waltenberger, Eva-Maria Pferschy-Wenzig, et al. “Discovery and Resupply of Pharmacologically Active Plant-Derived Natural Products: A Review.” Biotechnology Advances 33, no. 8 (2015): 1582–614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2015.08.001.

Calderó, Gabriela, Alessandro Patti, Meritxell Llinàs, and Maria José García-Celma. “Diffusion in Highly Concentrated Emulsions.” Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science 17, no. 5 (2012): 255–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cocis.2012.07.001.

Danaei, M., M. Dehghankhold, S. Ataei, et al. “Impact of Particle Size and Polydispersity Index on the Clinical Applications of Lipidic Nanocarrier Systems.” Pharmaceutics 10, no. 2 (2018): 57. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics10020057.

Ghosh, P., and R. Murthy. “Microemulsions: A Potential Drug Delivery System.” Current Drug Delivery 3, no. 2 (2006): 167–80. https://doi.org/10.2174/156720106776359168.

Gunarto, Chintya, Yi-Hsu Ju, Jindrayani Nyoo Putro, et al. “Effect of a Nonionic Surfactant on the Pseudoternary Phase Diagram and Stability of Microemulsion.” Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data 65, no. 8 (2020): 4024–33. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jced.0c00341.

He, Cai-Xia, Zhong-Gui He, and Jian-Qing Gao. “Microemulsions as Drug Delivery Systems to Improve the Solubility and the Bioavailability of Poorly Water-Soluble Drugs.” Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery 7, no. 4 (2010): 445–60. https://doi.org/10.1517/17425241003596337.

Karasulu, H. Yesim. “Microemulsions as Novel Drug Carriers: The Formation, Stability, Applications and Toxicity.” Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery 5, no. 1 (2008): 119–35. https://doi.org/10.1517/17425247.5.1.119.

Kim, D., Y. Jeong, C. Choi, et al. “Retinol-Encapsulated Low Molecular Water-Soluble Chitosan Nanoparticles.” International Journal of Pharmaceutics 319, nos. 1–2 (2006): 130–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2006.03.040.

Kim, Jin Hee, Boluwatife Olamide Dareowolabi, Rekha Thiruvengadam, and Eun-Yi Moon. “Application of Nanotechnology and Phytochemicals in Anticancer Therapy.” Pharmaceutics 16, no. 9 (2024): 1169. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16091169.

Kumar, Shashank, and Abhay K. Pandey. “Chemistry and Biological Activities of Flavonoids: An Overview.” The Scientific World Journal 2013, no. 1 (2013): 162750. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/162750.

Lawrence, M. Jayne, and Gareth D. Rees. “Microemulsion-Based Media as Novel Drug Delivery Systems.” Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 45, no. 1 (2000): 89–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-409X(00)00103-4.

Liu, Rui Hai. “Health Benefits of Fruit and Vegetables Are from Additive and Synergistic Combinations of Phytochemicals.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 78, no. 3 (2003): 517S-520S. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/78.3.517S.

Ma, Qiumin, P. Michael Davidson, and Qixin Zhong. “Antimicrobial Properties of Microemulsions Formulated with Essential Oils, Soybean Oil, and Tween 80.” International Journal of Food Microbiology 226 (June 2016): 20–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2016.03.011.

Morais Diane, Jacqueline M., and J. Burgess. “Vitamin E Nanoemulsions Characterization and Analysis.” International Journal of Pharmaceutics 465, nos. 1–2 (2014): 455–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2014.02.034.

Moss, Robert A., Tsunehisa Fujita, and Yukihisa Okumura. “Dynamics of a Bolaamphiphilic Lipid in a Bilayer Liposome.” Langmuir 7, no. 11 (1991): 2415–18. https://doi.org/10.1021/la00059a001.

Pagliaro, Beniamino, Caterina Santolamazza, Francesca Simonelli, and Speranza Rubattu. “Phytochemical Compounds and Protection from Cardiovascular Diseases: A State of the Art.” BioMed Research International 2015 (2015): 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/918069.

Pereira, Daniel T., Douglas Dourado, Danielle T. Freire, et al. “Quality by Design Optimization of Microemulsions for Topical Delivery of Passiflora Setacea Seed Oil.” Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology 16 (November 2025): 2116–31. https://doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.16.146.

Pietta, Pier-Giorgio. “Flavonoids as Antioxidants.” Journal of Natural Products 63, no. 7 (2000): 1035–42. https://doi.org/10.1021/np9904509.

Qu, Jiepeng, Yinhua Wan, Maozhang Tian, and Weifeng Lv. “Microemulsions Based on Diverse Surfactant Molecular Structure: Comparative Analysis and Mechanistic Study.” Processes 11, no. 12 (2023): 3409. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11123409.

Qureshi, Kamal A., Salman A. A. Mohammed, Omar Khan, Hussein M. Ali, Mahmoud Z. El-Readi, and Hamdoon A. Mohammed. “Cinnamaldehyde-Based Self-Nanoemulsion (CA-SNEDDS) Accelerates Wound Healing and Exerts Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Rats’ Skin Burn Model.” Molecules 27, no. 16 (2022): 5225. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27165225.

Rodrigo, Ramón, Catalina Retamal, Denisse Schupper, et al. “Antioxidant Cardioprotection against Reperfusion Injury: Potential Therapeutic Roles of Resveratrol and Quercetin.” Molecules 27, no. 8 (2022): 2564. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27082564.

Santos, P., A. C. Watkinson, J. Hadgraft, and M. E. Lane. “Application of Microemulsions in Dermal and Transdermal Drug Delivery.” Skin Pharmacology and Physiology 21, no. 5 (2008): 246–59. https://doi.org/10.1159/000140228.

Singh, Yuvraj, Jaya Gopal Meher, Kavit Raval, et al. “Nanoemulsion: Concepts, Development and Applications in Drug Delivery.” Journal of Controlled Release 252 (April 2017): 28–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2017.03.008.

Souto, Eliana B., Amanda Cano, Carlos Martins-Gomes, Tiago E. Coutinho, Aleksandra Zielińska, and Amélia M. Silva. “Microemulsions and Nanoemulsions in Skin Drug Delivery.” Bioengineering 9, no. 4 (2022): 158. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9040158.

Thacker, Hency, and Vijay Ram. “Medicinal Properties of Phytochemicals: A Review.” Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 13, no. 2 (2024): 78–82. https://doi.org/10.22271/phyto.2024.v13.i2a.14873.

Thompson, C., D. Hansford, S. Higgins, C. Rostron, G. Hutcheon, and D. Munday. “Evaluation of Ibuprofen-Loaded Microspheres Prepared from Novel Copolyesters.” International Journal of Pharmaceutics 329, nos. 1–2 (2007): 53–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2006.08.019.

Torchilin, V. “Multifunctional Nanocarriers☆.” Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 58, no. 14 (2006): 1532–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2006.09.009.

Yamini, S., Ammar Ahmed, Kailash P. Rajpurohit, G. Priya, and R. Vinoth Kumar. “Phytochemicals as Biopharmaceuticals: Unlocking Mechanisms for Disease Prevention and Treatment.” In Plant Molecular Farming, edited by Rajarshi Kumar Gaur, Ramwant Gupta, Dinesh Yadav, and Benedicte Riber Albrectsen. Springer Nature Singapore, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-3823-2_3.

Zhang, Guo-Hai, Wen-Bin Xue, Yun-Feng An, et al. “Distinct Novel Quinazolinone Exhibits Selective Inhibition in MGC-803 Cancer Cells by Dictating Mutant P53 Function.” European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 95 (May 2015): 377–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2015.03.053.

Published

30-06-2026

How to Cite

Alagarsamy, S., Pazhanimuthu, R., Raja, P., & Gnanasekar, S. K. (2026). MICROEMULSIONBASED DELIVERY SYSTEMS FOR PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOUNDS: FORMULATION STRATEGIES AND BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS. International Journal of Current Innovations in Advanced Research, 9(1), 20–37. https://doi.org/10.47957/ijciar.v9i1.215

Issue

Volume 9, Issue 1, 2026

Section

Review Articles

Citations

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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