Deep eutectic solvents as emerging carriers for antihyperlipidemic drugs: current trends and future perspectives

Abstract The therapeutic effectiveness of the most antihyperlipidemic drugs, particularly Biopharmaceutics Classification system Class II drugs like statins, is severely limited by their low aqueous solubility and resulting low and variable oral bioavailability (e.g. ∼5% for simvastatin). Deep Eutectic solvents and Therapeutic Deep Eutectic System are explored in this review as an environmentally friendly and innovative next-generation platform designed to overcome these fundamental biopharmaceutical limitations. These systems function as good solubilizers, improving the dissolution rate and the thermodynamic stability of antihyperlipidemic drugs significantly. This directly enhances the drug absorption kinetics, resulting in more predictable and enhanced oral bioavailability. Commercialization of DESs still faces major challenges. Large-scale-up is difficult because their high viscosity reduces mixing and mass transfer efficiency. Also, a complete evaluation of their cytotoxicity, biodegradability, and long-term thermal stability is still needed to ensure their safe and sustainable use as effective pharmaceutical excipients.