Liposomes – A Novel Drug Delivery System

Abstract

Liposomes are formations of vesicles by hydrating mixture of cholesterol and phospholipids. Different novel approaches used for delivering these drugs include liposomes, microspheres, nanotechnology, micro emulsions, antibodyloaded drug delivery, magnetic microcapsules, impla ntable pumps and noisome. Liposomes and Noisome are equiactive in drug delivery potential and both increase drug effi cacy as compared with that of free drug. The applic ation of vesicular (lipid vesicles and non-ionic surfactant vesicles) systems in cosmetics and for therapeutic purpose ma y offer several advantages. They improve the therapeutic performance of the drug molecules by delayed clearance from t he circulation, protecting the drug from biological environment and restricting effects to target cells. Liposomes hav e been extensively investigated for drug delivery, drug targeting, con trolled release and increased solubility. The major rate limiting step in the widespread use of this versatile drug delivery is t he stability both physical and chemical. This revie w article focuses on the advantages, Disadvantages, Design, Classifications, Basic components, Formulations, methods of preparation, characterizations, factors, and applications of Lip osomes.