Review Article

Nanoemulsion: An Emerging Novel Technology for Improving the Bioavailability of Drugs

Table 1

Various excipients widely used in nanoemulsion formulations.

Brand name/chemical definition (HLB value)ComponentsTraders/manufacturers

Tween 20 (T20)/PEG-20 sorbitan monolaurate (16.7)EmulsifierAltas/ICI
Tween 60 (T60)/polysorbate 60 (14)EmulsifierAtlas/ICI
Tween 65 (T65)/PEG-20 sorbitan tristearate (11)EmulsifierAtlas/ICI
Tween 80 (T80)/PEG-20 sorbitan monooleate (15)CoemulsifierAtlas/ICI
Span 20 (S20)/sorbitan monolaurate (8.6)EmulsifierAtlas/ICI
Span 60 (S60)/sorbitan monostearate 4.7CoemulsifierAtlas/ICI
Span80 (S80)/sorbitan monooleate (4.3)CoemulsifierAtlas/ICI
Brij-30/PEG-4 lauryl ether (9.7)EmulsifierAtlas/ICI
Arlasolve DMI/Di-methyl isosorbide-CoemulsifierAtlas/ICI
Capmul MCM-C8/glyceryl caprylate (5-6)EmulsifierABITEC
Lecithin/L-a-phosphatidylcholine (4–9)EmulsifierAlfa Aesar
Cerex ELS 250/PEG-25 hydrogenated castor oil (11)EmulsifierAuschem SpA
Akoline MCM/caprylic/capric glycerides (5-6)CoemulsifierAarhuskarlshamn
Cremophor-EL, cremophor-ELP/ PEG-35 castor oil (12–14)EmulsifierBASF
Cremophor RH40/PEG-35 hydrogenated castor oil (13)EmulsifierBASF
Pluronic L44/block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide (12–18)CoemulsifierBASF
Lutrol F 68/polaxomer 188 (29)CoemulsifierBASF
Cremophor RH 40/polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil (13)EmulsifierBASF
SLS/sodium lauryl sulfate (40)CoemulsifierCanadian Alcolac Ltd.
Carbitol/diethylene glycol monoethyl ether-Co-emulsifierDow chemicals
TPGS/(Tocophersolan, D--tocopheryl PEG-1000 succinate) (13)EmulsifierEastman
Labrafil M 2125 CS/PEG-6 corn oil (4)EmulsifierGattefosse
Labrafil M1944CS/PEG-6 apricot kernel oil (4)EmulsifierGattefosse
Labrasol/PEG-8 caprylic/capric glycerides (14)EmulsifierGattefosse
Labrafac CM 10/PEG-8 caprylic/capric glycerides (>10)EmulsifierGattefosse
Labrafil WL 2609 BS/PEG-8 corn oil (6-7)EmulsifierGattefosse
Peceol glyceryl monooleate (3-4)EmulsifierGattefosse
Plurol oleique CC 497 caprol® 6G20 hodag PGO-62/ polyglyceryl-6 dioleate (6)CoemulsifierGattefosse Abitec Co Calgene
Lauroglycol 90/propylene glycol monolaurate (5)CoemulsifierGattefosse
Lauroglycol FCC/propylene glycol monolaurate (4)CoemulsifierGattefosse
Transcutol P/diethylene glycol mono ethyl ether-CoemulsifierGattefosse
Labrafil 1944/PEG-6 apricot kernel oil (4)CoemulsifierGattefosse
HCO-40/polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil 40 (13)EmulsifierNikkol
HCO-60/PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil (14)CoemulsifierNikkol
Emulphor El-620/ethoxylated castor oil (12–15)EmulsifierRhodia