Pharmacy Reports
Vol. 5 No. 3 (2025): Pharmacy Reports

Stability and efficacy of green solvent and natural excipient-based semisolid formulations compared with conventional formulations: a review

Muh Fajar Fauzi (Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, South Lampung 35365, Indonesia)
Eko Hidayaturrohman Khumaini (Diploma Program in Pharmacy and Food Analysis, Ibnu Sina Ajibarang College of Health Sciences, Banyumas, Central Java 53163, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 May 2026

Abstract

Semisolid dosage forms, including creams, gels, ointments, hydrogels, and emulgels, are widely used for topical drug delivery. Green solvent- and natural excipient-based systems have gained attention for their potential biocompatibility and reduced environmental burden, but their stability advantages over conventional formulations remain unclear. This systematic review with narrative synthesis evaluated 36 eligible studies from 1,000 records. Due to the methodological and clinical heterogeneity of the included studies, a narrative synthesis was conducted in place of quantitative pooling. Among 20 studies reporting direct comparative efficacy, 11 showed superior results for green or natural formulations, 7 reported equivalence, and 2 had mixed findings. Safety outcomes were generally comparable or more favorable for green formulations, with no serious adverse events linked to these systems. However, stability evidence was limited: only 9 studies reported stability-related parameters, and long-term or accelerated data were largely absent. While green solvent- and natural excipient-based semisolid formulations demonstrate promising efficacy and tolerability, current evidence does not establish that they are inherently more stable than conventional systems, and their translational readiness remains constrained by insufficient demonstration of reproducible formulation quality over time.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

pharmrep

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Chemistry Health Professions Immunology & microbiology Medicine & Pharmacology

Description

Pharmacy Reports is an open-access journal publishing peer-reviewed research in the pharmacy field, covering topics in pharmaceutics, biomedicine, pharmaceutical chemistry, bioinformatics, natural product, pharmacology and toxicology, and clinical pharmacy. Pharmacy Reports invites you to submit ...