In vitro Lipolysis Models for Evaluation of Lipid-Based Drug Delivery Systems: A Comprehensive Review

More than 40% of new chemical entities exhibit low aqueous solubility, which leads to poor bioavailability due to poor water solubility. Several approaches have been employed to improve the oral bioavailability of those drugs. Among them, oral lipid – based drug delivery systems have shown immense potential in improving the poor and inconsistent drug absorption of many poorly water-soluble drugs. The examples of those systems are liposomes, niosomes, self-emulsifying drug delivery systems, etc. These lipid-based formulations undergo in the gastrointestinal tract, which influences the absorption of the drug molecules. So, in vitro lipolysis models have been developed to study the fate of lipid-based formulations in the gastrointestinal tract. This review focuses on different in vitro lipolysis models, challenges and limitations.