Published Paper Details:

Hydrophobic encapsulation presents a versatile and effective strategy for modulating drug release profiles in pharmaceutical formulations. This review examines the design principles, mechanisms, materials, techniques, and applications of hydrophobic matrix systems, focusing on their ability to achieve sustained or controlled drug release. Hydrophobic matrices, composed of lipophilic polymers, waxes, or lipid-based compounds, form physical barriers around active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), impeding water penetration and slowing drug diffusion. Drug release from these systems typically follows diffusion-controlled or erosion-mediated mechanisms, governed by factors such as matrix composition, drug solubility, and particle morphology. Synthetic polymers like ethyl cellulose, polycaprolactone (PCL), and PLGA, alongside natural waxes and lipids, are widely used to construct these matrices due to their biocompatibility and chemical stability. Various encapsulation techniques--such as solvent evaporation, melt granulation, spray drying, and compression coating--enable the tailoring of drug release kinetics and improve drug stability. Hydrophobic matrices are particularly advantageous for delivering poorly water-soluble drugs and for applications requiring prolonged therapeutic action, such as in the management of chronic diseases, implantable systems, transdermal patches, and paediatric or geriatric formulations. Despite challenges such as initial burst release, low drug loading, and scalability limitations, recent advances in material science and nanotechnology continue to improve the efficiency and applicability of these systems. Mathematical modelling using Higuchi, Korsmeyer-Peppas, and zero-order kinetics supports the optimization of release behaviour. Overall, hydrophobic encapsulation strategies represent a robust platform for enhancing drug delivery, improving patient compliance, and achieving consistent therapeutic outcomes across diverse clinical and pharmaceutical scenarios.