Biosurfactants as a novel additive in pharmaceutical formulations: Current trends and future implications.

Background Surfactants are an important category of additives that are used widely in most of the formulations as solubilizers, stabilizers, and emulsifiers. Current drug delivery systems comprise of numerous synthetic surfactants (such as Cremophor EL, polysorbate 80, Transcutol-P), which are associated with several side effects though used in many formulations. Therefore, to attenuate the problems associated with conventional surfactants, a new generation of surface-active agents are obtained from the metabolites of fungi, yeast, and bacteria, which are termed as biosurfactants. Objectives In this article, we are critically analyzing the different types of biosurfactants, their origin, along with their chemical and physical properties, advantages, drawbacks, regulatory status, and detail pharmaceutical applications. Methods 243 papers were reviewed and included in this review. Results Briefly, Biosurfactants are classified as glycolipids, rhamnolipids, sophorolipids, trehalolipids, surfactin, lipopeptides & lipoproteins, lichenysin, fatty acids, phospholipids, and polymeric biosurfactants. These are amphiphilic biomolecules with lipophilic and hydrophilic ends and used as drug delivery vehicles (foaming, solubilizer, detergency, and emulsifier) in the pharmaceutical industry. Despite additives, they have some biological activity as well (anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-microbial, P-gp inhibition, etc.). These biomolecules have better safety and are biocompatible, biodegradable, and specific at different temperatures. Conclusion Biosurfactants exhibit good biomedicine and additives properties that can be used in developing novel drug delivery systems. However, more research should be driven due to lack of comprehensive toxicity testing and high production cost which limits their use.