Dear all,
I hope this doesn't come across as a naïve question, but in the laboratory, we use DMSO to dissolve flavonoids and other compounds which don't dissolve well in water.
I am aware for a few of these supplements, such as resveratrol, bioavailability is a challenge. Given that solubility is related to bioavailability (at least for the case of drugs absorbed in GI fluids), is dissolving formulations in DMSO a potential way to increase their bioavailability? It is my understanding that there are some risks to DMSO use, but it has a history of use in humans for interstitial cystitis.
Thank you,
Matthew
Yes, DMSO can improve the solubility and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs like curcumin due to its ability to dissolve both polar and nonpolar compounds and act as a penetration enhancer. It facilitates cellular uptake and is often used in research and drug delivery systems, such as nanoparticles. However, its potential toxicity and regulatory concerns limit its direct use in therapeutic formulations, requiring careful optimization.
Dear Matthew,
Your question is fascinating! It is accepted that DMSO is a solvent with a low toxic potential. So it is obviously not a solvent that is hazardous to human health at acceptable concentrations in pharmaceutical products. Considering its ability to dissolve most compounds (polar or apolar) and to facilitate cellular absorption, it is appropriate to test DMSO for improving the bioavailability of some active ingredients of poorly soluble drugs. For example, by using nanoparticle dispersions. Just do some tests with small doses of DMSO and see what happens.
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