Advancing Pharmacotherapeutic Strategies Using Bigel Drug Delivery Systems

Abstract

Bigels have emerged as a promising frontier in drug delivery systems, offering a distinguished “blend” of hydrophilic and lipophilic properties. In their systematic review, Shakouri et al. provide a comprehensive analysis of bigels' efficiency and the factors influencing their performance [1]. The authors have meticulously examined 20 studies, shedding light on the diverse components used in bigel formulations and their impact on drug release kinetics. Shakouri’s review article highlights the versatility of bigels in incorporating a wide range of natural materials. Span and sunflower oil are commonly used for organogel formation, while various biopolymers act as hydrogelators. This flexibility enables the customization of formulations for specific drug delivery needs. In their thorough examination of the literature, the authors discuss that bigels have been effectively employed to deliver a range of active agents, with metronidazole being a particularly common subject of study. Notably, one of the most striking notions is the impressive range of drug release rates achieved by bigels, spanning from 1.59% to 100%. This remarkable variability highlights the potential of bigels to offer controlled release profiles for diverse therapeutic applications. Particularly promising is the fact that many studies report release rates exceeding 90%, suggesting that bigels can achieve efficient drug delivery under optimal conditions.