Enhancement of gastrointestinal absorption of poorly water soluble drugs via lipid based systems

Abstract

Development of knowledge on lipids has attracted the scientific community for the effective utilization of the natural and synthetic lipids. Bioavailability of poorly water soluble drugs from gastrointestinal tract (GIT) can be enhanced by formulating the drugs in lipid based formulations. This formulation can increase the dissolution of poorly water soluble drugs, and facilitates the formation of solubilized phases from which absorption may occur. The enhanced solubility of lipophilic drugs from lipid-based systems will not necessarily arise directly from the administered lipid, but most likely from the intra luminal processing to which they are subjected prior to absorption. This review will focus on assessment of lipid-based formulations of drugs with a consideration of how gastrointestinal physiology, the choice of lipids and their formulation attribute and the mode of lipid digestion in the GIT influence the bioavailability of lipophilic drugs.