World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

ADVANCING NIOSOMAL DRUG DELIVERY: MANUFACTURING, CHARACTERIZATION, AND THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS - A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Pradyumna Kumar Maharana, Anil Kumar, Amit Pandey, Suhas Narayan Sakarkar, Pratima Bisen, Vishal Pathak, Manjeet Singh Yadav, Sharang Bali and Gopal Kumar Rai*

ABSTRACT

Niosomes, self-assembled vesicular nanocarriers composed of non-ionic surfactants, have emerged as a promising
alternative to liposomes in drug delivery systems. This review highlights the recent advancements in niosomal drug
delivery, focusing on manufacturing methods, characterization techniques, and therapeutic applications. Niosomes
are lipid-based nanoparticles that mimic the structure of the cell membrane. These biocompatible and
biodegradable carriers can be loaded with various drugs, including small molecules, peptides, and proteins. The
manufacturing of niosomes involves a series of steps, starting with the preparation of the lipid bilayer, followed by
drug encapsulation and sterilization. Various techniques, such as film hydration, reverse phase evaporation, and
microfluidic-based methods, have been developed to produce high-quality niosomes with desired characteristics.
Niosomes offer several advantages over liposomes, including simple manufacturing, biodegradable, biocompatible,
and non-immunogenic surfactants, and osmotic stability. They can encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic
drugs, and their surfaces can be functionalized for targeted delivery, enhancing therapeutic performance. The
review discusses the preparation of niosomes, their lamellarity, and specialised niosomes, such as pH-responsive
niosomes, which are designed to improve drug delivery for specific diseases and conditions. The characterization
of niosomes includes physical properties like size, polydispersity index, and drug entrapment efficiency, which are
crucial for optimizing drug delivery systems. Niosomes have demonstrated potential in various therapeutic
applications, including cancer treatment, gene delivery, and natural product delivery. They have shown promise in
reducing toxicity, enhancing drug solubility and bioavailability, and improving pharmacokinetics. The review
concludes by discussing the limitations and prospects for this technology, highlighting the need for further research
to optimize niosomal drug delivery systems and obtain necessary licenses for their application as drug carriers.

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