A REVIEW OF NANOEMULSION-MEDIATED TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY FOR IMPROVED BIOAVAILABILITY

Nanoemulsions have been the most promising jumping-off point in respect to novel drug carriers for transdermal delivery, with a particular focus on soluble drugs with low bioavailability. In this systematic review, recent progress addressing nanoemulsion vehicle for transdermal delivery of drugs is comprehensively reviewed including formulation strategies, characterization and physicochemical properties, permeation mechanisms and therapeutic effectiveness. A systematic literature review was performed through multiple databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus) for articles written between 2019-2025. Nanoemulsions (20-200 nm droplet size) exhibit better drug delivery with increased surface area, enhanced skin penetration and sustained release pattern. According to 45 papers, nanoemulsion transdermal systems results in up from 40% to 244% bioavailability increment as compared to the other formulations. Critical quality attributes such as particle size (20 mV) play a major role on the efficacy of therapy. Several techniques,mostly high-pressure homogenization, ultrasonication, and spontaneous emulsification have been used. The review shows that transdermal permeation by nanoemulsions is facilitated due to stratum corneum lipid extraction, increased drug thermodynamic activity and establisment of the drug reservoirs. Data have demonstrated that nanoemulsion technology is an adaptable delivery system for the efficient and convenient transdermal administration of various therapeutic agents, such as antihypertensives, anti-inflammatory drugs, proteins, peptides which can enhance patient compliance and treatment efficacy.