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Research on the Development of Semi-solid Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems

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A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Delivery and Controlled Release".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 April 2026 | Viewed by 2250

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Pálma Fehér

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Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei Körút 98, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Interests: topical drug delivery; semi-solid pharmaceutical dosage forms; self-emulsifying drug delivery systems; nanocarriers; surfactants; in vitro studies; pharmaceutical technology; drug release; skin permeation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Liza Józsa

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Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei Körút 98, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Interests: topical drug delivery; self-emulsifying drug delivery systems; nanocarriers; surfactants; in vitro and in vivo studies; pharmaceutical technology; drug release; skin permeation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to submit a paper for the Special Issue “Research on the Development of Semi-solid Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems”. Semi-solid dosage forms offer ease of application, controlled release of active ingredients, and improved patient compliance. The incorporation of self-emulsifying drug delivery systems into semi-solid pharmaceutical dosage forms provides a promising strategy for overcoming the challenges associated with poor drug solubility, bioavailability, and patient compliance.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the current progress in the development of innovative semi-solid dosage forms and self-emulsifying drug delivery systems, regardless of their therapeutic target.

We welcome researchers to contribute original research and review articles focusing on the formulation and investigation of novel semi-solid pharmaceutical dosage forms, including creams, ointments, gels, and transdermal patches, as well as self-emulsifying drug delivery systems.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Pálma Fehér
Dr. Liza Józsa
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

semi-solid dosage forms
ointments
creams
gels
transdermal patches
self-emulsifying drug delivery systems
topical delivery
transdermal delivery

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 3901 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Talc Substitution with Starches from Different Botanical Origins on Rheological and Absorption Properties of Stiff Zinc Oxide Paste Formulations

by Dragana Zaklan, Nikola Davidović, Jovana Milutinov, Dejan Ćirin, Veljko Krstonošić and Nebojša Pavlović

Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(5), 627; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17050627 - 8 May 2025

Viewed by 167

Abstract

Background: Zinc oxide paste is traditionally compounded and applied in the therapy of various skin conditions. However, prolonged use of talc, usually present in zinc oxide pastes, may pose health risks due to potential contamination with asbestos and quartz, highlighting the need for alternative excipients. This study aimed to examine the effects of starches from various botanical sources and their particle size on the rheological and absorption properties of zinc oxide paste. Methods: Eight zinc oxide paste formulations were prepared, containing 25% zinc oxide and 25% indifferent excipient (talc, tapioca, rice, or maize starch) in two particle sizes. Rheological properties were assessed using amplitude and frequency sweep tests, and water- and oil-absorption capacities were determined using a centrifugation-based method. Results: Amplitude sweep tests confirmed the predominant solid-like nature of zinc oxide pastes, with the elastic modulus (G′) exceeding the viscous modulus (G″) in all formulations. Tapioca starch-based pastes exhibited the highest G′ and G″ values, while talc-based pastes exhibited the lowest. Frequency sweep tests showed that pastes were resistant to structural changes under stress, with G′ consistently dominating over G″ across the entire frequency range. Tapioca starch-based formulations exhibited the highest water-absorption capacity, while the talc-based formulations had the highest oil-absorption capacity. Reducing particle size improved both water- and oil-absorption capacities. Conclusions: Starches may be considered as alternatives to talc in zinc oxide pastes, due to their ability to modify the absorption and rheological properties of pastes. Future studies should assess the impact of starch substitution on sensory characteristics, shelf-life stability, and patient satisfaction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on the Development of Semi-solid Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems)

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25 pages, 2673 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Salvia officinalis–Based Self-Emulsifying Systems for Dermal Application: Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Skin Penetration Enhancement

by Krisztina Bodnár, Boglárka Papp, Dávid Sinka, Pálma Fehér, Zoltán Ujhelyi, István Lekli, Richárd Kajtár, Fruzsina Nacsa, Ildikó Bácskay and Liza Józsa

Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(2), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17020140 - 21 Jan 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1471

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The present study focused on the formulation and evaluation of novel topical systems containing Salvia officinalis (sage), emphasizing their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Sage, rich in carnosol, offers considerable therapeutic potential, yet its low water solubility limits its effectiveness in traditional formulations. The aim of our experimental work was to improve the solubility and thus bioavailability of the active ingredient by developing self-nano/microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SN/MEDDSs) with the help of Labrasol and Labrafil M as the nonionic surfactants, Transcutol HP as the co-surfactant, and isopropyl myristate as the oily phase. Methods: The formulations were characterized for droplet size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), encapsulation efficacy, and stability. The composition exhibiting the most favorable characteristics, with particle sizes falling within the nanoscale range, was incorporated into a cream and a gel, which were compared for their textural properties, carnosol penetration, biocompatibility and efficacy. Results: Release studies conducted using Franz diffusion cells demonstrated that the SNEDDS-based cream achieved up to 80% carnosol release, outperforming gels. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) showed strong efficacy, with an in vivo carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model revealing that the SNEDDS-based cream significantly reduced inflammation. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of SNEDDS-enhanced topical formulations in improving therapeutic outcomes. Further research is warranted to confirm their long-term safety and efficacy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on the Development of Semi-solid Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems)

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