Oils (lipid phase)
Carrier for hydrophobic actives. Choice of long-chain vs. medium-chain lipids influences digestion kinetics and whether lymphatic transport is recruited.
Self-(Nano/Micro) Emulsifying Delivery
SNEDDS, explained simply
We will explain what SNEDDS/SEDDS are, how they self-disperse into ultra-fine droplets after swallowing, why that can improve uptake for hydrophobic actives, and where the approach helps — with literature pointers.
Components
Emulsifiers
Create the droplet interface and drive spontaneous dispersion. HLB and digestibility matter for both droplet size and stability.
Co-solvents & boosters
Small amounts of solvents can boost solubility and tune dispersion. Polymer precipitation inhibitors are used in some supersaturated SNEDDS.
Nanoemulgel (topical) — visual
A nanoemulsion dispersed within a gel base for topical delivery. The gel matrix can improve spreadability and residence time on skin while the nanoemulsion phase enhances solubilization and penetration of lipophilic actives.
Evidence snapshot (selected literature)
Ranges vary with active, dose, and formulation. Below are representative outcomes using self-emulsifying systems vs. conventional oral formats.
Curcumin
Self-emulsifying formats report multi-fold increases in exposure; reviews note 9–185× across nanoformulations, with SNEDDS/SMEDDS among the tools studied.
Representative reviews; details in refs.Resveratrol
SNEDDS increased AUC ~3–5× and accelerated absorption (~3.3× higher Ka) in preclinical work vs. free compound.
Examples include optimized triglyceride-based SNEDDS.CBD
Human crossover data show a SEDDS CBD achieving ~4.4× higher Cmax and ~1.7–2.9× higher AUC vs. the same extract in MCT oil; faster Tmax (~1 h vs. ~3 h).
Healthy adults, 25 mg dose, fasted.Berberine
Self-emulsifying systems (often SMEDDS) have shown higher oral bioavailability vs. tablets in vivo and improved release kinetics.
Preclinical and formulation studies.These are study outcomes, not health claims. Effects depend on the active and the exact formulation.
Food effect
High-fat meals can change cannabinoid and other lipophilic active exposure. We design for consistency, but label directions and context matter.
Excipients
Surfactants/co-solvents enable dispersion but must be balanced for tolerance, taste, and stability. We choose pharma-familiar excipients and verify loads.
Transparency
We spell out the rationale, targets, and limitations in plain English and link to references.
FAQ
Is SNEDDS the same as SMEDDS?
They’re closely related self-emulsifying systems; papers often distinguish by droplet size bands. Performance is driven by composition and in-vivo behavior more than the label.
Does smaller droplet size always mean better absorption?
Smaller droplets increase surface area, but the digestive pathway (bile interaction, mixed-micelle formation, potential lymphatic routing) also matters. Long-chain lipids can favor lymph transport for some actives; medium-chain systems may emphasize portal uptake.
Medical claims?
We don’t make disease claims. Delivery science can raise exposure; what that means for outcomes depends on the active and context. For health decisions, consult a professional.
References (selection)
- Porter CJH, Trevaskis NL, Charman WN. Lipids and lipid-based formulations: optimizing the oral delivery of lipophilic drugs. Nature Rev Drug Discov (2007).
- SNEDDS Review – definitions & components. IJPS Journal (2024).
- SEDDS to solid SEDDS – overview. Pharmaceutics (2025).
- t-Resveratrol SNEDDS PK (~4.3× AUC; ~3.3× faster absorption) – summarized in: Colloid Interface Biointerfaces (2019).
- Knaub K. et al. SEDDS CBD vs. MCT (human crossover). Molecules (2019).
- Curcumin nanoformulations – clinical RB 9–185× (review). Antioxidants (2024).
- Berberine SMEDDS – formulation & in-vivo. Pharmaceutics (2024).
Links open in a new tab. We track updates and revise summaries as the literature evolves.