Technological development of microemulsions with perspectives for pain treatment: a patent review

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Microemulsions are thermodynamically stable translucent systems widely used for systemic delivery of drugs. The present study is the first to analyze the biotechnological potential of microemulsion systems for therapeutic purposes, through transdermal route, for pain treatment.

Areas covered: Patents were searched in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), European Patent Office (Espacenet), United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and National Institute of Intellectual Property (INPI). The inclusion criteria were published patents containing the keywords; ‘microemulsion’ and ‘transdermal’ in their title or abstract. 208 patents were found. However, only those patents which mentioned in their abstract or in their description the use of microemulsion system (object of invention) for pain treatment were selected. Were excluded duplicate patents and those that did not report pharmacological use of MEs specifically for pain treatment.

Thus, sixteen patents were selected and described in the present study.

Expert opinion: Patents were found that focused specifically on the development process of microemulsion systems, the inclusion of essential oils in microemulsions, which place microemulsions as delivery systems for NSAIDs and other substances, as well as microemulsions for transdermal administration. These studies reinforce the therapeutic applicability of MEs in the treatment of acute and chronic pain.

KEYWORDS:

• Microemulsion
• pain treatment
• technological prospect
• biotechnology
• patents

Article highlights

• Substances with pain treatment potentials can be incorporated into microemulsion systems.

• Microemulsions are promising systems for the carrying and delivery of bioactive substances.

• Microemulsified systems can be used to incorporate hydrophilic and lipophilic substances for pain treatment.

• The transdermal route of administration is a viable alternative to reduce side effects commonly associated with drugs used in pain therapy.

• The pharmaceutical industry and scientific research have been working on potential nanocarriers of bioactive substances that emerge as an alternative therapeutic option in the treatment of various pathologies, including pain.

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.