Poor water solubility of drugs is a major problem in oral drug delivery and often leads to low and unpredictable bioavailability. A large number of newly developed drugs show poor solubility, which limits their absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and reduces therapeutic effectiveness. Lipid-based drug delivery systems (LBDDS) have gained significant attention as an effective approach to overcome these limitations. These systems improve drug solubilization, protect drugs from degradation, and enhance absorption after oral administration. This review discusses the key aspects of lipid-based oral drug delivery systems, including formulation considerations, classification, mechanisms of drug absorption, and characterization methods. Various lipid-based carriers such as nano emulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, self-emulsifying drug delivery systems, liposomes, and other advanced lipid formulations are described. The role of lipids, surfactants, and digestion processes in improving oral bioavailability is also highlighted. Due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to enhance drug absorption, lipid-based drug delivery systems represent a promising strategy for improving the oral delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs.
*Khan Kaif, Dr. Nidhi Chauhan, Dr. Megha Shah, Ms Nandini Modi, Diwan Samiya, Bhavya Modi (Wed,) studied this question.