Influence of particle size on the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activities of a curcumin lipid nanoemulsion

Stability and gastrointestinal behavior of curcumin-loaded emulsion stabilized by multi-conformation soy proteins: Influence of oil volume fraction

The aim of this work was to assess the potential of nanoemulsions stabilized by mixed soy protein with multi-conformation as curcumin carrier, and the influence of oil volume fraction on stability and gastrointestinal behavior of curcumin-loaded emulsion was investigated. Loading efficiency showed a slight increase with higher oil content, though the difference was not statistically significant. With the increase of oil, the viscosity (Pa‧s), thixotropy (area of hysteresis loop) and particle size of the emulsion increased, which facilitated the physical and chemical stability of curcumin-loaded emulsion. However, the free fatty acid release rate and bioaccessibility of curcumin was negatively correlated with the oil volume fraction and the particle size of emulsion after gastric digestion. Notably, the digestion in stomach did not affect the structure of interfacial protein, demonstrating that protein-based nanoemulsions exhibited resistance to gastric digestion. This study provides theoretical guidance for the application of protein-based emulsion in curcumin delivery.

Lipid emulsion structure, digestion behavior, physiology, and health: a scoping review and future directions

Research investigating the effects of the food matrix on health is needed to untangle many unresolved questions in nutritional science. Emulsion structure plays a fundamental role in this inquiry; however, the effects of oil-in-water emulsion structure on broad metabolic, physiological, and health-related outcomes have not been comprehensively reviewed. This systematic scoping review targets this gap and examines methodological considerations for the field of relating food structure and health. MEDLINE, Web of Science, and CAB Direct were searched from inception to December 2022, returning 3106 articles, 52 of which were eligible for inclusion. Many investigated emulsion lipid droplet size and/or gastric colloidal stability and their relation to postprandial weight-loss-related outcomes. The present review also identifies numerous novel relationships between emulsion structures and health-related outcomes. "Omics" endpoints present an exciting avenue for more comprehensive analysis in this area, yet interpretation remains difficult. Identifying valid surrogate biomarkers for long-term outcomes and disease risk will be a turning point for food structure research, leading to breakthroughs in the pace and utility of research that generates advancements in health. The review's findings and recommendations aim to support new hypotheses, future trial design, and evidence-based emulsion design for improved health and well-being.

Tuning the Microstructures of Electrospray Multicore Alginate Microspheres for the Enhanced Delivery of Astaxanthin

Multicore alginate microspheres (MCPs) have been demonstrated as promising carriers for bioactive substances. Herein, the influence of the size of the inner core on the bioaccessibility of astaxanthin (AST) was investigated using both in vitro and in vivo methods. MCPs with different inner core sizes were fabricated in which the oil-in-water emulsion with different oil droplet sizes was embedded in alginate microspheres (AST@MCPs) via the electrospray technology. The AST@MCPs appeared as a uniform sphere with an average size of 300 μm. The AST encapsulation efficiency in the AST@MCPs was determined to be more than 68%, which was independent of the inner core size. The bioaccessibility of AST increased from 38.3 to 83.2% as the size of the inner core decreased. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activity of AST@MCPs after in vitro simulated digestion was evaluated by LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. The results suggested that AST@MCPs with a smaller inner core size exhibited a stronger anti-inflammatory activity, which further proved the results obtained from in vitro simulated digestion. As expected, the oral administration of AST@MCPs significantly mitigated colitis symptoms in DSS-induced ulcerative colitis mice. Compared with AST@MCPs with larger inner cores, AST@MCPs with smaller inner cores reflect stronger anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. These results suggested that the bioaccessibility of AST in MCPs increased significantly with the decrease in the inner core size, which may be attributed to the rapid formation of micelles in the intestine. This work provides a simple and efficient strategy to prepare microspheres for the enhanced delivery of AST, which has important implications for the design of health-promoting foods.

Curcumin nanoemulsions inhibit oral squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation by PI3K/Akt/mTOR suppression and miR-199a upregulation: A preliminary study

BACKGROUND

Accumulating evidence indicates that curcumin (CUR) has anticancer properties in various cancers including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), but CUR is greatly restricted in clinical studies and applications due to its low bioavailability. Interestingly, the bioavailability of CUR was found to be significantly improved using loaded lipid nanoemulsions (NEs).

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of CUR-NEs on cell proliferation of OSCC HSC-3 cells in vitro, and explore the potential mechanism of this effect in a preliminary study.

RESULTS

CUR-NEs exhibited significantly cytotoxic effects on OSCC cells in a dose-dependent manner, compared with the control. The percentage of cells in proliferative phases (S + G2/M) was gradually decreased in a dose- or time-dependent manner caused by CUR-NEs. Moreover, CUR-NEs downregulated the protein expression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR and upregulated the expression of miR-199a that targeted PI3K in a dose- or time-dependent manner in OSCC cells. Importantly, CUR-NEs cloud effectively counteract the influence on cell proliferation of OSCC cells and the proliferative phases of cell cycle caused by miR-199a inhibitor a time-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

This in vitro preliminary study indicated that CUR-NEs may be an effective therapeutic agent for OSCC. Such effects could be related to inhibition of OSCC cell proliferation by PI3K/Akt/mTOR suppression and miR-199a upregulation.

Recent exploration of nanoemulsions for drugs and cosmeceuticals delivery

BACKGROUND

Nanoemulsions (NEs) have been explored as nanocarriers for the delivery of many drugs and cosmeceuticals. The extraordinary expansion of using NEs is due to their capability to conquer the main challenges of conventional delivery systems such as short residence time with low patient acceptance, poor stability, low aqueous solubility, permeability, and hence bioavailability.

METHODS

This review recapitulated the most recent pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical applications of NEs as effective delivery nanocarriers. The outputs of our research studies and the literature review on the latest NEs applications were assessed to highlight the NEs components, preparations, applications, and the improved quality and elegance of the used product.

RESULTS

NEs are stable submicronic translucent dispersions with narrow droplet size distribution. They exhibited excellent ability to efficiently encapsulate therapeutics of diverse nature of drugs and cosmeceuticals. NE formulations showed superiority over conventional delivery approaches with overabundances of advantages through different routes of administration. This novel technology exhibited better aesthetic appeal, higher bioavailability, and a longer duration compared to the conventional delivery systems.

CONCLUSION

This novel technology holds promise for different therapeutics fields. However, the success of NEs use advocated the development of robust formulations, proper choice of equipment, ample process characterization, and assurance of their efficacy, stability, safety and cosmetic appeal.

Harnessing the potential of nanostructured formulations to mimic the food effect of lurasidone

Lurasidone is an important antipsychotic drug indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, with an oral bioavailability of 9-19% owing to its poor aqueous solubility. Additionally, lurasidone exhibits a 2-fold positive food effect, such that patients must administer their medication with a meal, leading to significant non-compliance. The aim of this research was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo performance of lurasidone when engineered as nanostructured systems. Specifically, a nanosuspension, nano-emulsion and silica-lipid hybrid (SLH) microparticles were formulated and the influence of composition and nanostructure on the mechanism of solubilisation was compared. Formulations were shown to enhance fasted state solubilisation levels in vitro by up to 5.9-fold, compared to pure drug. Fed- and fasted-state solubilisation profiles revealed that in contrast to the nanosuspension and nano-emulsion, lurasidone SLH mitigated the positive pharmaceutical effect of lurasidone. In vivo pharmacokinetic evaluations revealed that the nanosuspension, nano-emulsion and SLH enhanced the bioavailability of lurasidone by 3-fold, 2.4-fold and 8.8-fold, respectively, compared to pure drug after oral administration. For lurasidone, the combination of lipid-based nanostructure and porous silica nanostructure (SLH) led to optimal fasted state bioavailability which can ultimately result in enhanced treatment efficacy, easier dosing regimens and improved patient outcomes.

Curcumin Loaded PEGylated Nanoemulsions Designed for Maintained Antioxidant Effects and Improved Bioavailability: A Pilot Study on Rats

The current study describes the experimental design guided development of PEGylated nanoemulsions as parenteral delivery systems for curcumin, a powerful antioxidant, as well as the evaluation of their physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activity during the two years of storage. Experimental design setup helped development of nanoemulsion templates with critical quality attributes in line with parenteral application route. Curcumin-loaded nanoemulsions showed mean droplet size about 105 nm, polydispersity index <0.15, zeta potential of -40 mV, and acceptable osmolality of about 550 mOsm/kg. After two years of storage at room temperature, all formulations remained stable. Moreover, antioxidant activity remained intact, as demonstrated by DPPH (IC50 values 0.078-0.075 mg/mL after two years) and FRAPS assays. In vitro release testing proved that PEGylated phospholipids slowed down the curcumin release from nanoemulsions. The nanoemulsion carrier has been proven safe by the MTT test conducted with MRC-5 cell line, and effective on LS cell line. Results from the pharmacokinetic pilot study implied the PEGylated nanoemulsions improved plasma residence of curcumin 20 min after intravenous administration, compared to the non-PEGylated nanoemulsion (two-fold higher) or curcumin solution (three-fold higher). Overall, conclusion suggests that developed PEGylated nanoemulsions present an acceptable delivery system for parenteral administration of curcumin, being effective in preserving its stability and antioxidant capacity at the level highly comparable to the initial findings.

Curcumin Loaded and Co-loaded Nanosystems: A Review from a Biological Activity Enhancement Perspective

BACKGROUND

Curcumin is a natural phenolic compound exhibiting multiple bioactivities that have been evaluated in vitro, in vivo as well as through clinical studies in humans. Some of them include antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and central nervous system protective effects. Further, curcumin is generally recognized as a safe substance because of its low toxicity. However, its molecular structure is susceptible to changes in pH, oxidation, photodegradation, low aqueous solubility, and biotransformation compromising its bioavailability; these drawbacks are successfully addressed through nanotechnology.

OBJECTIVE

The present review systematizes findings on the enhancement of curcumin's beneficial effects when it is loaded and co-loaded into different types of nanosystems covering liposomes, polymeric and solid-lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carrier, lipid-polymeric hybrids, self- -assembled and protein-based core-shell systems in relation to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and central nervous system protective bioactivities.

CONCLUSION

Curcumin is a versatile molecule capable of exerting antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti- inflammatory, and central nervous system protective effects in an enhanced manner using the possibilities offered by the nanotechnology-based approach. Its enhanced bioactivities are associated with increments in solubility, stability, bioavailability, as well as in improved intracellular uptake and cell internalization. These advantages, in addition to curcumin's low toxicity, indicate the potential of curcumin to be loaded and co-loaded into nanosystems capable of providing a controlled release and targeted administration.

Formulation of More Efficacious Curcumin Delivery Systems Using Colloid Science: Enhanced Solubility, Stability, and Bioavailability

Curcumin is a bioactive constituent isolated from turmeric that has historically been used as a seasoning, pigment, and herbal medicine in food. Recently, it has become one of the most commonly studied nutraceuticals in the pharmaceutical, supplement, and food areas because of its myriad of potential health benefits. For instance, it is claimed to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiparasite, and anticancer activities when ingested as a drug, supplement, or food. Toxicity studies suggest that it is safe to consume, even at relatively high levels. Its broad-spectrum biological activities and low toxicity have meant that it has been widely explored as a nutraceutical ingredient for application in functional foods. However, there are several hurdles that formulators must overcome when incorporating curcumin into commercial products, such as its low water solubility (especially under acidic and neutral conditions), chemical instability (especially under neutral and alkaline conditions), rapid metabolism by enzymes in the human body, and limited bioavailability. As a result, only a small fraction of ingested curcumin is actually absorbed into the bloodstream. These hurdles can be at least partially overcome by using encapsulation technologies, which involve trapping the curcumin within small particles. Some of the most commonly used edible microparticles or nanoparticles utilized for this purpose are micelles, liposomes, emulsions, solid lipid particles, and biopolymer particles. Each of these encapsulation technologies has its own benefits and limitations for particular product applications and it is important to select the most appropriate one.

Acute Lung Injury: IL-17A-Mediated Inflammatory Pathway and Its Regulation by Curcumin

Acute lung injury (ALI) is characterized by acute inflammation and tissue injury results in dysfunction of the alveolar epithelial membrane. If the epithelial injury is severe, a fibroproliferative phase of ALI can develop. During this phase, the activated fibroblast and myofibroblasts synthesize excessive collagenous extracellular matrix that leads to a condition called pulmonary fibrosis. Lung injury can be caused by several ways; however, the present review focus on bleomycin (BLM)-mediated changes in the pathology of lungs. BLM is a chemotherapeutic agent and has toxic effects on lungs, which leads to oxidative damage and elaboration of inflammatory cytokines. In response to the injury, the inflammatory cytokines will be activated to defend the system from injury. These cytokines along with growth factors stimulate the proliferation of myofibroblasts and secretion of pathologic extracellular matrix. During BLM injury, the pro-inflammatory cytokine such as IL-17A will be up-regulated and mediates the inflammation in the alveolar epithelial cell and also brings about recruitment of certain inflammatory cells in the alveolar surface. These cytokines probably help in up-regulating the expression of p53 and fibrinolytic system molecules during the alveolar epithelial cells apoptosis. Here, our key concern is to provide the adequate knowledge about IL-17A-mediated p53 fibrinolytic system and their pathogenic progression to pulmonary fibrosis. The present review focuses mainly on IL-17A-mediated p53-fibrinolytic aspects and how curcumin is involved in the regulation of pathogenic progression of ALI and pulmonary fibrosis.

Factors impacting lipid digestion and nutraceutical bioaccessibility assessed by standardized gastrointestinal model (INFOGEST): oil

INFOGEST gastrointestinal model used to study impact of oil droplet size on digestion and bioaccessibility.

Impact of calcium levels on lipid digestion and nutraceutical bioaccessibility in nanoemulsion delivery systems studied using standardized INFOGEST digestion protocol

The bioaccessibility of hydrophobic bioactives may be greatly reduced in the presence of calcium.

In vitro Permeability and Bioavailability Enhancement of Curcumin by Nanoemulsion via Pulmonary Administration

Background:

Curcumin has shown considerable pharmacological activity, including antiinflammatory activity. Nevertheless, the pharmacological effect of curcumin may be limited because of poor water solubility, metabolizing rapidly and systemic elimination.

Objective:

In the current research, a novel curcumin nanoemulsion (Cur-NE) was developed for improving in vitro permeability and bioavailability via pulmonary administration.

Methods:

The Cur-NE was prepared by a modified emulsification-evaporation method and its surfac morphology, particles size and distribution, and encapsulation efficiencies of drug in NE were characterized. In vitro transmembrane transport experiment was performed to investigate the transport profile of curcumin across Xenopus alveolar membrane. The pharmacokinetics of Cur-NE in rabbits was evaluated.

Results:

The average particles size, zeta potential, polydispersity index of Cur-NE were 234.8±1.08 nm, -19.5±0.2 mV and 0.10, respectively. Xenopus alveolar membrane was used in the transmembrane transport study, the cumulative amount of curcumin was 6.6% for curcumin suspensions, but nearly 50% for Cur-NE at the time of 8 h (P<0.05). The pharmacokinetic study in rabbits, the absolute bioavailability of curcumin for Cur-NE was 24.11%.

Conclusion:

Thus, a novel Cur-NE for pulmonary drug delivery was developed for improving in vitro permeability and bioavailability, which can be an alternate to the oral administration.

Multiple linear regression applied to predicting droplet size of complex perfluorocarbon nanoemulsions for biomedical applications

Multiple linear regression (MLR) modeling as a novel methodological advancement for design, development, and optimization of perfluorocarbon nanoemulsions (PFC NEs) is presented. The goal of the presented work is to develop MLR methods applicable to design, development, and optimization of PFC NEs in broad range of biomedical uses. Depending on the intended use of PFC NEs as either therapeutics or diagnostics, NE composition differs in respect to specific applications (e.g. magnetic resonance imaging, drug delivery, etc). PFC NE composition can significantly impact on PFC NE droplet size which impacts the NE performance and quality. We demonstrated earlier that microfluidization combined with sonication produces stable emulsions with high level of reproducibility. The goal of the presented work was to establish correlation between droplet size and composition in complex PFC-in-oil-in-water NEs while manufacturing process parameters are kept constant. Under these conditions, we demonstrate that MLR model can predict droplet size based on formulation variables such as amount and type of PFC oil and hydrocarbon oil. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report where PFC NE composition was directly related to its colloidal properties and MLR used to predict colloidal properties from composition variables.

The role of curcumin and its derivatives in sensory applications

Curcumin has recently attracted much attention due to the wide range of its physiological actions such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, anti-diabetic and anti-microbial effects. This phytochemical can be used as a sensing material for the detection of chemicals due to its optical properties as a fluorescent polyphenol. Curcumin and its derivatives can make complexes with many cations such as Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, Hg²⁺, Pt²⁺, Re³⁺ and Al³⁺via bearing 1,3-diketones with keto-enol isomerization. The complexation of curcumin with certain metal ions leads to its solubility in water and producing various hues of colors as well as cytotoxic and antimicrobial effects. Curcumin can also form complexes with certain metal ions and thus serve as a chelating agent for anions such as ClO^-, CN^-, F^- and S^2-. Moreover, conjugation of curcumin with some organic compounds such as cysteine and poly-glycerol acrylate provides an efficient fluorescence detection system for picric acid and 2-vinyl pyridine in aqueous media. In this review, we focused on curcumin as a key element in a membrane composition of chemical sensors. In addition, the latest sensing platforms based on curcumin and its derivatives are briefly described.

Self-nanoemulsifying system improves oral absorption and enhances anti-acute myeloid leukemia activity of berberine

BACKGROUND

Recently, we found that berberine (BBR) exerts anti-acute myeloid leukemia activity, particularly toward high-risk and relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia MV4-11 cells in vitro. However, the poor water solubility and low bioavailability observed with oral BBR administration has limited its clinical use. Therefore, we design and develop a novel oil-in-water self-nanoemulsifying system for BBR (BBR SNE) to improve oral bioavailability and enhance BBR efficacy against acute myeloid leukemia by greatly improving its solubility.

RESULTS

This system (size 23.50 ± 1.67 nm, zeta potential - 3.35 ± 0.03 mV) was prepared with RH40 (surfactant), 1,2-propanediol (co-surfactant), squalene (oil) and BBR using low-energy emulsification methods. The system loaded BBR successfully according to thermal gravimetric, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses. The release profile results showed that BBR SNE released BBR more slowly than BBR solution. The relative oral bioavailability of this novel system in rabbits was significantly enhanced by 3.41-fold over that of BBR. Furthermore, Caco-2 cell monolayer transport studies showed that this system could help enhance permeation and prevent efflux of BBR. Importantly, mice with BBR SNE treatment had significantly longer survival time than BBR-treated mice (P < 0.001) in an MV4-11 engrafted leukemia murine model.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies confirmed that BBR SNE is a promising therapy for acute myeloid leukemia.

Enhancement of Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Nobiletin in Macrophages by a Nano-Emulsion Preparation

Lots of active substances are hydrophobic materials at ambient and body temperatures, decreasing their bioavailability and posing great challenges to successful incorporation into medication and functional foods. The goal of this research was to develop a nanoemulsion delivery system containing a hydrophobic crystalline bioactive component (nobiletin) to improve the anti-inflammatory activity. Nobiletin was incorporated into the oily phase, and the nanoemulsions were fabricated using high-speed and high-pressure homogenization. Particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential were evaluated by a commercial laser light scattering instrument. The anti-inflammatory activities were performed in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The developed nobiletin nanoemulsion had an average droplet size of 168.6 ± 3.8 nm and a PDI of 0.168, while the average diameter of the blank nanoemulsion was 157.3 ± 1.9 nm and its PDI was 0.161. The zeta potential values of nobiletin nanoemulsion and blank nanoemulsion were -68.45 ± 0.64 and -62.75 ± 0.21 mV, respectively. All obtained nanoemulsions kept physically stable during storage at 4, 25, and 37 °C. A nobiletin-loaded nanoemulsion showed an enhanced anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-induced macrophages, with a decrease in pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines. The findings suggested that the nanoemulsion would be used as an effective delivery system for nobiletin to improve its anti-inflammatory activity.

Phytochemical Modulation of Apoptosis and Autophagy: Strategies to Overcome Chemoresistance in Leukemic Stem Cells in the Bone Marrow Microenvironment

Advances in scientific research and targeted treatment regimes have improved survival rates for many cancers over the past few decades. However, for some types of leukemia, including acute lymphoblastic and acute myeloid leukemia, mortality rates have continued to rise, with chemoresistance in leukemic stem cells (LSCs) being a major contributing factor. Most cancer drug therapies act by inducing apoptosis in dividing cells but are ineffective in targeting quiescent LSCs. Niches in the bone marrow, known as leukemic niches, behave as "sanctuaries" where LSCs acquire drug resistance. This review explores the role of the bone marrow environment in the maintenance of LSCs and its contribution to chemoresistance and considers current research on the potential use of phytochemicals to overcome chemoresistance through the modulation of signaling pathways involved in the survival and death of leukemic clonal cells and/or leukemic stem cells. Phytochemicals from traditional Chinese medicine, namely baicalein, chrysin, wogonin (constituents of Scutellaria baicalensis; huáng qín; ), curcumin (a constituent of Curcuma longa, jiāng huáng, ), and resveratrol (a constituent of Polygonum cuspidatum; hŭ zhàng, ) have been shown to induce apoptosis in leukemic cell lines, with curcumin and resveratrol also causing cell death via the induction of autophagy (a nonapoptotic pathway). In order to be effective in eliminating LSCs, it is important to target signaling pathways (such as Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, and Hedgehog). Resveratrol has been reported to induce apoptosis in leukemic cells through the inhibition of the Notch and Sonic hedgehog signaling pathways, therefore showing potential to affect LSCs. While these findings are of interest, there is a lack of reported research on the modulatory effect of phytochemicals on the autophagic cell death pathway in leukemia, and on the signaling pathways involved in the maintenance of LSCs, highlighting the need for further work in these areas.

Conjugation of curcumin-loaded lipid nanoemulsions with cell-penetrating peptides increases their cellular uptake and enhances the anti-inflammatory effects in endothelial cells

OBJECTIVES

To prepare and characterize in vitro and in vivo lipid nanoemulsions (LN) loaded with curcumin (Cm) and functionalized with a cell-penetrating peptide.

METHODS

Curcumin-loaded lipid nanoemulsions (CmLN) functionalized with a nona-arginine peptide (R9-CmLN) have been obtained, characterized and optimized for size, entrapment efficiency and in vitro Cm release. The interaction of R9-CmLN with human endothelial cells (HEC) was investigated using cultured EA.hy926 cells, and in vivo biodistribution studies were performed using C57BL6 mice.

KEY FINDINGS

When used in therapeutically relevant concentration, R9-CmLN have low haemolytic activity, low cytotoxicity on HEC, and show anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the monocytes adhesion to TNF-α activated HEC. Moreover, HEC uptake and internalization of R9-CmLN was significantly higher compared to the non-functionalized CmLN. In vivo biodistribution studies in mice revealed a higher accumulation of R9-CmLN in the liver and the lungs compared to CmLN and the body clearance of the both nanoformulations after 72 h.

CONCLUSIONS

Cell-penetrating peptides-functionalized CmLN have superior characteristics compared to their non-functionalized counterparts: are more efficiently internalized by the cells, produces anti-inflammatory effects in HEC and when administrated intravenously in mice exhibit increased accumulation in the liver and the lungs, suggesting their potential therapeutic applications in different inflammatory pathologies localized in the liver or the lungs.

Drug delivery and drug targeting with parenteral lipid nanoemulsions - A review

Lipid nanosized emulsions or nanoemulsions (NE) are oil in water dispersions with an oil droplet size of about 200nm. This size of oil droplets dispersed in a continuous water phase is a prerequisite for the parenteral, namely intravenous administration. Many parenteral nutrition and drug emulsions on the market confirm the safe use of NE over years. Parenteral emulsions loaded with APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients) are considered as drug delivery systems (DDS). DDS focuses on the regulation of the in vivo dynamics, such as absorption, distribution, metabolism, and extended bioavailability, thereby improving the effectiveness and the safety of the drugs. Using an emulsion as a DDS, or through the use of surface diversification of the dispersed oil droplets of emulsions, a targeted increase of the API concentration in some parts of the human body can be achieved. This review focuses on NE similar to the marketed once with no or only low amount of additional surfactants beside the emulsifier from a manufacturing point of view (technique, used raw materials).