The feasibility of using the polymeric emulsifier PEG-30-dipolyhydroxystearate (DPHS) as a lipophilic excipient for the production of self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) as well as its in vitro digestibility are for the first time explored. The optimized SNEDDS have semisolid consistency at room temperature and are able to provide very fine dispersions (less than 25 nm) in various media regardless to the pH and the ionic strength. Furthermore, SNEDDS nanodispersions have shown a high degree of molecular mobility, which is essential for their in vivo performance. In addition, the optimized SNEDDS are able to enhance the equilibrium solubility of the accompanied PWSD (Progesterone) in various media. The digestibility of DPHS and its semisolid SNEDDS are incomplete in both FaSSIF and FeSSIF media. Protection of Progesterone against digestion-induced precipitation is the main advantage obtained from the developed semisolid SNEDDS. The semisolid SNEDDS was incorporated (20-90 % m/m) in Neusilin® US2 using solvent-free method. Freely flowable powders were obtained at SNEDDS content of up to 60 % m/m. The formed adsorbates (up to 45 % m/m) can be compressed into tablets with acceptable mechanical properties. |