Application of Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and imaging in drug delivery research – Chances and challenges

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is a powerful technique to study chemical species with unpaired electrons. Since its discovery in 1944, it has been widely used in a number of research fields such as physics, chemistry, biology and material and food science. This review is focused on its application in drug delivery research. EPR permits the direct measurement of microviscosity and micropolarity inside drug delivery systems (DDS), the detection of microacidity, phase transitions and the characterization of colloidal drug carriers. Additional information about the spatial distribution can be obtained by EPR imaging. The chances and also the challenges of in vitro and in vivo EPR spectroscopy and imaging in the field of drug delivery are discussed.