NIOSOMES: A UNIQUE DRUG DELIVERY TOOL

Synthetic nonionic surfactants such as alkyl or dialkyl poly glycerol ether class when hydrated give niosomes. Niosomes are the drug carriers which provide substitute to liposomes and encapsulate the solutes in a way similar to liposomes. These may be unilamellar or multilamellar vesicles, present more in vitro stability and improved stability of drugs entrapped in comparison with the dosage forms which are conventional. [1] Niosomes can hold amphiphillic as well as lipophilic drugs and have the advantage of being biocompatible, biodegradable and non immunogenic over liposomes. Niosomes are used for targeted as well as controlled release for the treatment of many diseases including cancer, viral and other microbial diseases. Encapsulation of drugs in niosomes results in prolonged existence of drugs in circulation and improved penetration into the tissues targeted. [2] The purpose of this review is to have an overview of preparation, composition, structure and applications of niosomes in pharmacy. The main purpose of development of niosomal preparations is to control the release profile of the drugs by making their release sustained and targeting drugs to the sites desired.