Niosome: A Vesicular Drug Delivery Tool

Niosomes, which are well recognized for their non-ionic surfactant characteristics, are considered to be innovative drug delivery methods since they improve the solubility and stability of medicinal compounds when administered orally. It has been shown that niosome vesicles are closed bilayer structures that may exist in aqueous fluids and are produced by the self-assembly of different types of hydrated non-ionic surfactants and amphiphile monomers in aqueous media. Because the monomers maintain a wide range of kinetic activity inside the assembly, they are referred to as liquid crystal structures in terms of thermodynamics. It is just the total of different processes for the dispersion of monomers and solvents that results in the formation of the final systems. Niosomes are made up mostly of lipid molecules and nonionic surfactants, which are the two most important components in the process of making them. Nonetheless, as the name suggests, component surfactants play a key role in the creation of niosomes, owing to the fact that non-ionic surfactants were often employed to organize niosomes during their formation. They are especially well-suited for drug delivery because they have the ability to encapsulate medicines that are both lipophilic and hydrophilic in nature. These materials are appealing for a number of drug delivery goals, including drug targeting, controlled release, and permeability enhancement, because of their chemical stability, cheap production costs, and composed of biodegradable and non-immunogenic components. Niosomal vesicular carriers can also help to minimize problems such as physical and chemical instability. This book chapter contains a brief knowledge about structural components and integrity concerning the advanced method of noisome preparation. The characterization techniques essential for noisome have also been discussed in detail. The recent examples for different applications are also included for therapy /diagnostic purposes based on the route of administration and disease state. 

Keywords: Anticancer, Drug delivery, Diagnostic, Drug targeting, Lipid nanocarriers, Niosome, Non-ionic surfactant, Transdermal delivery.