World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

NIOSOMES AS A NOVEL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM: CURRENT ADVANCES AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

V. Parthasarathi*, S. Yalisai Arasu

ABSTRACT

Niosomes are non-ionic surfactant-based vesicular drug delivery systems that have gained considerable attention in recent years due to their ability to improve the therapeutic efficacy and safety of various pharmaceutical agents. These vesicles are formed by the self-assembly of non-ionic surfactants in an aqueous medium, often stabilized with cholesterol, resulting in bilayer structures capable of encapsulating both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. Niosomes offer several advantages over conventional dosage forms and liposomal systems, including improved stability, controlled drug release, enhanced bioavailability, biocompatibility, and cost-effectiveness. The physicochemical properties of niosomes can be modified by altering formulation components, preparation methods, and surface characteristics, making them versatile carriers for targeted and sustained drug delivery. This review discusses the fundamental aspects of niosomes, including composition, types, methods of preparation, evaluation parameters, advantages, limitations, and factors affecting formulation. Furthermore, recent advancements such as nano-niosomes, proniosomes, ligand-targeted niosomes, and stimuli-responsive systems are critically summarized. The therapeutic applications of niosomes in cancer therapy, transdermal delivery, ocular delivery, oral drug delivery, vaccine delivery, and gene therapy are also highlighted. Despite certain limitations related to physical instability and scale-up challenges, ongoing research and advancements in nanotechnology continue to expand the potential of niosomal systems in modern pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.

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