Eco-Friendly Solvents and Excipients in Pharmaceutical Development

The extensive use of conventional organic solvents and synthetic excipients in pharmaceutical formulation and manufacturing

has raised concerns related to toxicity, environmental burden, regulatory constraints, and sustainability. Many traditional

solvents and excipients exhibit adverse toxicological effects, poor biodegradability, and ecological persistence, thereby limiting

their long-term applicability in modern pharmaceutical development. In response, green chemistry principles have increasingly

emerged as a systemic framework for designing safer, and more sustainable pharmaceutical processes. Eco-friendly solvents

and excipients, encompassing bio-based solvents, green co-solvents, natural and semi-synthetic polymers, biodegradable surfactants, and renewable lipid-based systems, have emerged as an alternative to conventional formulation components. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the classification, functional roles, and mechanistic contributions of eco-friendly solvents and excipients in pharmaceutical development.