In: Biology
Solubility, the phenomenon of dissolution of a solute in a solvent to give a homogenous system, is one of the important parameters to achieve the desired concentration of drug in systemic circulation for desired (anticipated) pharmacological response. Low aqueous solubility is the major problem encountered with formulation development of new chemical entities as well as for the generic development. Any drug to be absorbed must be present in the form of a solution at the site of absorption.
Emulsions that are formed by dispersing a water-immiscible liquid into an aqueous phase are termed oil-in-water (o/w).
In a drug product, the emulsion is the active component itself. It may be an activity-enhancer for a co-administered active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), either acting passively as a solvent/stabilizing system or act as a penetration/absorption enhancing system or act as a penetration/absorption enhancing system.