European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

REVIEW: FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF NIOSOMES

Payal Mahendra Jadhav*, Dr. Ajay Fugate, Miss. Vaishnavi Havale

ABSTRACT

Niosomes or non-ionic surfactant vesicles are microscopic lamellar structures formed on admixture of non-ionic surfactant of the alkyl or dialkyl polyglycerol ether class and cholesterol with subsequent hydration in aqueous media. They are vesicular systems similar to liposomes that can be used as carriers of amphiphilic and lipophilic drugs. The method of preparation of niosome is based on liposome technology. The basic process of preparation is the same i.e. hydration by aqueous phase of the lipid phase which may be either a pure surfactant or a mixture of surfactant with cholesterol. After preparing niosomal dispersion, unentrapped drug is separated by dialysis centrifugation or gel filtration. A method of in-vitro release rate study includes the use of dialysis tubing. Niosomes are promising vehicle for drug delivery and being non-ionic, it is less toxic and improves the therapeutic index of drug by restricting its action to target cells. Niosomes are unilamellar or multilamellar vesicles formed from synthetic non-ionic surfactants. They are very similar to the liposomes. Niosomal drug delivery is potentially applicable to many pharmacological agents for their action against various diseases. Niosomes have shown promise in the release studies and serve as a better option for drug delivery system. Target-specific drug-delivery systems for the administration of pharmaceutical compounds enable the localization of drugs to diseased sites. Various types of drug-delivery systems utilize carriers, such as immunoglobulins, serum proteins, synthetic polymers, liposomes, and microspheres. The vesicular system of niosomes, with their bilayer structure assembled by nonionic surfactants, is able to enhance the bioavailability of a drug to a predetermined area for a period. The amphiphilic nature of niosomes promotes their efficiency in encapsulating lipophilic or hydrophilic drugs. Other additives, such as cholesterol, can be used to maintain the rigidity of the niosomes’ structure. This narrative review describes fundamental aspects of niosomes, including their structural components, methods of preparation, limitations, and current applications to various diseases.

Keywords: Non ionic surfactant veicles, drug-delivery system, medical applications, methods of preparation, niosomes, structure.