Anionic, cationic, nonionic, and amphoteric surfactants in novel formulations with anticancer, antineurodegenerative, and antimicrobial activities

Surfactants are substances with surface-active agents that contain both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups. The four main types of surfactants are anionic, cationic, nonionic, and amphoteric (or zwitterionic) based on the charge of the hydrophilic head of the surfactant molecule. These materials can function as detergents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, wetting agents, or dispersants. Surfactants are frequently employed in various biomedical fields, such as antimicrobial agents, drug delivery systems (DDSs), and diagnostic formulations. However, numerous clinical limitations and toxicological issues need to be addressed in future studies. In this term, this review focused on clinical hindrances in micro- and nanoformulations based on surfactants for the treatment of cancers, neurodegenerative disorders, and microbial infections.

کلیدواژه ها:

Surface-active agents ، Emulsifiers ، Foaming agents ، Diagnostic formulations