Micelles transforming modern medicine: a comprehensive review on the role of micellar physicochemical properties in improving the flavonoid bioavailability and neomycin efficacy

Micelles are commonly recognized for their role in soaps and detergents. Recently, however, their function as carriers for drug delivery has garnered significant interest, particularly for drugs with poor solubility and limited permeability. Micelles enhances the solubility and bioavailability of biologically active compounds by providing an ideal structure for entrapment and transport, especially in the case of water-insoluble drugs. Flavonoids, naturally occurring compounds with diverse pharmacological and biological activities, face limitations in therapeutic applications due to their low bioavailability and poor aqueous solubility. To address these challenges, flavonoids can be incorporated into micellar structures, enhancing their solubility and bioavailability. The present review explores physicochemical studies on flavonoid-surfactant systems, focusing on how interactions within micellar formations aid in effective drug delivery. Various experimental techniques, such as specific conductivity, surface tension, ultrasonic sound velocity, pH, and viscosity, offer insights into the molecular interactions and structural stability of flavonoid-containing micelles. These studies also allow for analyzing thermodynamic parameters, flow characteristics, and acoustical properties, deepening our understanding of how flavonoids behave within surfactant systems. Micellar entrapment of flavonoids can improve the therapeutic efficacy of poorly soluble drugs. By examining physicochemical interactions within these systems, the review also highlights the enhanced drug delivery profile of neomycin sulfate, an antibiotic, when paired with flavonoid-based micelles. This strategy exemplifies the utility of micellar systems in pharmaceutical development, emphasizing their role in advancing drug delivery technologies for hydrophobic compounds.