European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF QUETIAPINE NANOEMULSION: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF FORMULATION STRATEGIES, CHARACTERIZATION TECHNIQUES, BRAIN TARGETING, AND THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS

B. Premkumar*, D. Dhachinamoorthi, D. Keshika

ABSTRACT

Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder; however, its clinical effectiveness is limited by poor aqueous solubility, extensive first-pass metabolism, and low oral bioavailability. Nanoemulsion-based drug delivery systems have emerged as an effective approach to enhance quetiapine solubility, absorption, and brain delivery. Their nanoscale droplet size and high surface area facilitate improved drug permeation across the blood–brain barrier and may reduce systemic adverse effects. This review summarizes formulation strategies, including the selection of oils, surfactants, co-surfactants, and preparation methods, along with key characterization parameters such as droplet size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, drug loading, in vitro release, and stability. Recent advances in brain-targeted and intranasal nanoemulsions, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation, therapeutic applications, and challenges in clinical translation are also discussed. Overall, quetiapine nanoemulsions represent a promising platform for improving the treatment of central nervous system disorders.

Keywords: Quetiapine; Nanoemulsion; Brain targeting; Intranasal delivery; Blood–brain barrier; Drug delivery systems; Bioavailability; Characterization.