Page 35 - Drug Discovery and Development: Prospects and Challenges

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was low. Considering that α-mangostin is soluble in organic solvent
due to its hydrophobic nature, the microsphere formulation could be a
potential α-mangostin micro-carrier delivery system to treat lung tissue
cancer (Ali et al., 2013).
Although oral intake is the most preferable route of drug delivery,
more than 70% of the active pharmaceutical ingredients are poorly water-
soluble or lipophilic compounds, which prevent them from reaching the
desired efficacy. As a result, the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs
is significantly affected. These compounds are typically grouped as BCS
class II or class IV compounds (Anwer et al., 2021). To improve the rate
of absorption and solubility, the Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery
System (SNEDDS) was developed as an alternative formulation method.
SNEDDS is a relatively new emulsion technology with the purpose to
improve the rate and extent of absorption of poorly water-soluble drugs.
SNEDDS are anhydrous homogeneous liquid mixtures composed of
lipids, surfactants, drugs, and/or cosolvents, which spontaneously form
transparent and stable microemulsion upon aqueous dilution with gentle
agitation (Buya et al., 2020).
Currently, several products of SNEDDS in the market include
Aptivus (tipranavir), Kaletra (lopinavir and ritonavir), Sandimmune
Neoral (cyclosporine A), Norvir (ritonavir) and Fortovase (saquinavir).
Our recent study on SNEDDS was successful in improving the anti-
diabetic properties of andrographolide by enhancing the regeneration
of pancreatic β-cells, lowering the blood glucose levels, and inhibiting
lipid formation in adipocytes (Syukri et al., 2020).
Furthermore, raloxifene is a selective oestrogen receptor modulator
that possesses poor bioavailability even though it is useful in the treatment
of osteoporosis and potential use in breast cancer treatment. The drug has
been formulated in lipid nanocarriers, transfersome, and ethosomes using
span-80, span-85, and sodium deoxycholate, respectively. It was found
that the formulation increased the bioavailability of transfersomes and
ethosomes by 247 and 157 times, respectively (Syed Mahmood, 2017).
We conducted another study on aceclofenac using a proniosome
vesicle. Aceclofenac is a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
that is used to relieve pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid
arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. However, the drug has limited
use due to its low bioavailability. When the drug was formulated in