Mysrayn Y. de Freitas Araújo Reis, Renaly I. de Araújo Rêgo, Beatriz P. Rocha, Gabryella G. Guedes, Ízola M. de Medeiros Ramalho, Airlla L. de Medeiros Cavalcanti, Geovani P. Guimarães and Bolívar P.G. de Lima Damasceno* Pages 4300 - 4314 ( 15 )
Surfactants are amphiphilic molecules of great interest in the pharmaceutical field which are used in combination with other adjuvants to solubilize poorly soluble drugs, improve their dissolution profile, promote permeation, improve drug delivery, enhance stabilization, among other characteristics. Literature shows that surfactants are included in several pharmaceutical compositions: tablets, solid dispersions, emulsions, microemulsions, nanoemulsions, liposomes and niosomes. This review aims to elucidate the different classes of surfactants based on their charges (cationic, anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, and dimeric), the micelles formation process, and how surfactant molecules geometry can affect this phenomenon. Moreover, current studies regarding the benefits of surfactants in the development of formulations are presented. Finally, a discussion on how charges and chain length of surfactants can affect the stratum corneum epithelial cells leading to increased permeation or skin irritability is reported.
Amphiphilic molecules, critical micelle concentration, hydrophile-lipophile balance, micelles, skin permeation mechanism, pharmaceutical technology.
Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Paraiba, Campina Grande, PB, Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Paraiba, Campina Grande, PB, Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Paraiba, Campina Grande, PB, Department of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Development and Characterization of Pharmaceutical Products, State University of Paraiba, Campina Grande, PB, Graduate Program in Health Science, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Department of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Development and Characterization of Pharmaceutical Products, State University of Paraiba, Campina Grande, PB, Department of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Development and Characterization of Pharmaceutical Products, State University of Paraiba, Campina Grande, PB, Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Paraiba, Campina Grande, PB