Nanoemulsions in Drug Delivery: Advances, Applications, and Future Prospects in Therapeutic Nanomedicine

Abstract

surfactants, offering unique advantages in drug delivery such as enhanced solubility, improved bioavailability, and targeted delivery of both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. Owing to their small droplet size (typically <200 nm), nanoemulsions exhibit excellent absorption, rapid onset of action, and reduced interpatient variability. This review discusses the recent advancements in the design, preparation techniques, and characterization of nanoemulsions for therapeutic applications. Emphasis is placed on the role of nanoemulsions in oral, parenteral, ocular, transdermal, and pulmonary delivery routes, with detailed analysis of their pharmacokinetic enhancements and clinical relevance. Additionally, the challenges related to formulation stability, toxicity, large-scale manufacturing, and regulatory considerations are highlighted. Future trends such as stimuli-responsive and targeted nanoemulsions for precision medicine are also explored. Overall, nanoemulsions represent a promising nanoplatform in modern drug delivery with wide-ranging pharmaceutical potential.