Lecithin Microemulsion Based Systems for Dermal Delivery of Drugs: A Review

The purpose of this review is to give an insight into the considerable potential of lecithin based nanocarriers. The lecithin microemulsion and closely related microemulsion based systems are currently of interest to pharmaceutical researchers. Conventional systems for topical delivery of drugs meet many hindrances like reduced permeation and entrapment efficiency. Lecithin nanocarriers with their enhanced bioavailability of drugs present a viable option to address the drawbacks of conventional formulations. Soya and egg lecithin are widely being explored. However, the purity of lecithin plays a significant role in gelation process. The review encompasses lecithin microemulsions, lecithin based microemulsion gels, pluronic lecithin gels and lecithin stabilized microemulsion based hyrogels in improving the topical delivery of drugs. Biocompatible lecithin based systems are known to furnish ways of many promising discoveries in the field of safe and efficacious topical dosage forms.