Niosomal as Potential Vesicular Drug Nano-carriers for the Treatment of Tuberculosis (TB)

Abstract

Targeted drug delivery systems are employed to administer pharmaceutical medication, facilitating the precise delivery of drugs to specific diseased areas. Various delivery methods utilize carriers such as antibodies, transdermal patches, biodegradable polymers, nanoparticles (NPs), liposomes, niosomes, and microspheres. Niosomes, on the other hand, represent a promising and innovative category of vesicular systems. Niosomes are vesicles formed by hydrating a combination of nonionic surfactants (NIOs) and cholesterol. These nonionic surfactant carriers serve as carriers for both lipophilic and amphiphilic drugs. In the drug delivery system using niosomes, the medication is enclosed within a vesicle. The niosomes in tuberculosis (TB) possess biodegradable and biocompatible properties, are nonimmunogenic, and demonstrate versatility in their structural composition. It is a serious and potentially contagious disease originating from the bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In a recent update, the WHO still estimated that the number of TB cases was 9.9 million in 2022. The use of niosomes improves the treatment of TB through the use of much more advanced technology and advanced drug nanocarriers. The main aim of this review paper is to summarize the structural compositions of niosomes with silent features and various preparation methods, as well as to complete the discussion about tuberculosis and its treatment/diagnosis. Finally, the comparison of niosomes with liposomes and their current applications in treating TB with several niosomal-drug carriers and treatment with niosomal formulations was performed.