ENHANCEMENT OF ORAL BIOAVAILABILITY OF POORLY WATER-SOLUBLE DRUGS USING NANOSUSPENSION TECHNOLOGY: A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY

Ramanamma Lalam*, Rajiv Kukkar

ABSTRACT

The present work focuses on the concept of bioavailability and the challenges associated with poorly water-soluble drugs, particularly those belonging to Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) Class II and IV. Bioavailability plays a crucial role in determining the therapeutic effectiveness of a drug, as it reflects the rate and extent of drug absorption into systemic circulation. A major limitation in modern drug development is poor aqueous solubility, which leads to dissolution-limited absorption and reduced bioavailability. Various approaches have been explored to overcome this issue, including chemical modification, physical modification, solvent-based techniques, and carrier-mediated drug delivery systems. Among these, nanosuspension technology has emerged as a promising and efficient strategy. Nanosuspensions, consisting of drug particles in the nanometer range stabilized by surfactants or polymers, significantly enhance dissolution rate, saturation solubility, and bioavailability. Techniques such as high-pressure homogenization, media milling, antisolvent precipitation, and combinational methods have been widely employed for nanosuspension preparation. The study highlights the advantages, limitations, and industrial applicability of nanosuspension systems, demonstrating their potential as a versatile approach for improving the therapeutic performance of poorly soluble drugs.

Keywords: Bioavailability; Poor aqueous solubility; Nanosuspension; BCS Class II drugs; Dissolution rate; Particle size reduction; High-pressure homogenization; Drug delivery systems.