A Comprehensive Review on Recent Advances and Considerations for the Selection of Cell-based In-vitro Techniques for the Assessment of Permeability of Drug Molecules

Objective: The main focus of this article is to analyze numerous in-vitro methods and their modifications currently used to assess the absorption or permeability of drug molecules from different formulations. Methods: In the literature, no single method can be applied as a gold standard for measuring the exact permeability of each drug molecule. Various in-vitro methods, including tissue and cell-based models, are reported to assess the absorption of drugs. Caco2 cell is a widely used model for absorption studies but sometimes provides inaccurate results. Alternative methods like Madin-Darby canine kidney, IEC- 18, TC-7, 2/4/A1, and IPEC-J2 cell lines are also used. In this study, the merits and demerits of each method have been described, along with the factors affecting the results of absorption studies. The selection of an appropriate method is critical in accurately assessing the permeability and absorption of drugs by mechanisms like vesicular and active transport. This review article aims to provide in-depth knowledge regarding the different in-vitro methods, strategies, and selection of appropriate in-vitro models to predict intestinal absorption. Conclusion: A flow chart diagram for decision-making in selecting an appropriate in-vitro permeability model for formulation has been proposed for estimating permeability.