Utility of Pickering emulsions in improved oral drug delivery

Pickering emulsions are surfactant-free emulsions stabilized by solid particles. Their unique structure endows them with good stability, excellent biocompatibility, and environmental friendliness. Pickering emulsions have displayed great potential in oral drug delivery.

Highlights

• Properties of particle stabilizers are crucial to construct Pickering emulsions. 

• Pickering emulsions enhance bioavailability or bioaccessibility of drugs. 

• Controllable release and high stability relate to the interfacial particles. 

• Digestion can be tailored by tuning the properties of the particle stabilizers.

Several-fold increases in the oral bioavailability or bioaccessibility of poorly soluble drugs, such as curcumin, silybin, puerarin, and rutin, were achieved by using Pickering emulsions, whereas controlled release was found for indomethacin and caffeine. The shell of the interfacial particle stabilizers provides enhanced gastrointestinal stability to the cargos in the oil core. Here, we also discuss general considerations concerning particle stabilizers and design strategies to control lipid digestion. More on pickering emulsions