A narrative review on microencapsulation: techniques and clinical aspects

Microencapsulation: techniques and clinical aspects

Abstract

Microencapsulation technique is a process of converting solid, liquid and gases into microcapsules by using various processing techniques. It is used in pharmaceutical, food and agriculture industries. Microencapsulation technique shows broad potential opportunities for resolving important clinical problems by various drug targeting strategies; therefore, aim of current review is to summarize all published studies pertaining to different types of drug delivery system based on microencapsulation. This is a narrative review conducted from the literature from 2009 to 2024. More than 40 articles were downloaded. After abstracting related data, checking quality of data, it is presented in form of PRISMA flow diagram. Most practical microencapsulation techniques and their outcomes; solventevaporation method for immiscible phases, fluid-bed/air-suspension coating for taste-masking and linear release of modified-release drugs, phase-separation/coacervation method for desired particle-size for encapsulation, polymeric method, spraying-drying for appropriate particle-size, hot-melt method for taste-masking and maintaining structure of crystals. Clinical benefits accomplished by this technique are; ibuprofen and clarithromycin by tastemasking, fenretinide by enhancing solubility, diclofenac sodium by reducing side-effects, retinol by reduction of toxicity, omeprazole by oral route stability.

Drug development by microencapsulation technique is having wide ranging beneficial clinical implications in terms of superiority for uniformity, bioavailability, toxicity, stability and patient acceptance.