Niosomes A Promising Carrier for Drug Delivery

http://dx.doi.org/10.21276/IJRDPL.22780238.2018.7(4).3015-3021 ABSTRACT: Niosomes are non-ionic surfactant based multilamellar or unilamellar vesicles in which an aqueous solution of solute is entirely enclosed by a membrane resulting from the organization of surfactant macromolecules as bilayer. The term “Niosomes” is named as because vesicle is composed of a bilayer of non-ionic surfaceactive agents (non-ionic surfactants). Niosomes are a novel drug delivery system, in which the medication is encapsulated in a vesicle. The ionic drug carriers are relatively toxic and unsuitable whereas niosomal carriers are safer. Also handling and storage of niosomes require no special conditions. Niosomes proved to be a promising drug carrier and has potential to reduce the side effects of drugs and increased therapeutic effectiveness in various diseases. Niosomes tackle the problem of insolubility, instability, low bioavailability and rapid degradation of drugs. Present review article deals with advantages, preparations, evaluation and pharmaceutical applications of niosomes.