ECO-FRIENDLY ANTI-ULTRAVIOLET CARRIERS FOR LIGHT-SENSITIVE DRUGS IN SUSTAINABLE PHARMACEUTICAL FORMULATIONS

Photo-degradation of pharmaceutical drugs reduces their potency and forms potentially hazardous by-products so photoprotective polymers are used. As such, light-sensitive drugs should be protected from ultraviolet radiation in order to maintain their safety and efficiency. This paper investigates environmentally friendly biomaterials as carriers and formulation methodology that offer anti-UV photoprotection. Natural biopolymers such as lignin, cellulose, and chitosan, along with bioinspired polymers consisting of polydopamine and vesicles based on lipids, provide biodegradable and renewable options for conventional packaging and drug delivery. The modes of protection consist of physical encapsulation barriers, antioxidant quenching of active oxygen species, and absorption of UV. Applications include lignin-based nanocomposites, coatings of polydopamine, and complexes of cyclodextrin inclusion. Advantages and disadvantages of these materials are discussed, together with future prospects, which emphasize multipurpose carriers, intelligent packaging, and regulatory approval. This review article outlines the potential of various green photoprotective systems to enhance the stability of drugs, following the principles of green chemistry.