Abstract

A REVIEW ON LIPOSOMAL DELIVERY SYSTEMS: CONCEPT TO CURRENT APPLICATIONS

Jyotsnarani Gandham, Praveen Sivadasu* and Padmalatha Katamaneni

Abstract

Liposomes have been established as a promising novel drug delivery system with real-time clinical applications. The term liposomes mean lipid body. It has been derived on basis of the name subcellular particles, ribosomes. These bilayer vesicles made up of phospholipids have perceived many advancements in recent times since the first breakthrough by A.D.Bangham in the early 1960s. Their size ranges from 25 to 500nm. Liposomes characterize an advanced technology to deliver active molecules to the site of action, and at present, several formulations are in clinical use. Research on liposome technology has progressed from conventional vesicles to „second-generation liposome‟s‟, in which long-circulating liposomes are obtained by modulating the lipid composition, size, and charge of the vesicle. They may act as a solubilizing model for poorly soluble drugs and enhance the penetration of these loaded drugs. Liposomes can encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials and are utilized as drug carriers in drug delivery. This momentous contribution of liposomal technology is widely observed in the healthcare sector. The present review emphasizes on overall methods of preparation characterization and applicability of liposomes in targeted drug action.

Keywords: Liposomes; Drug carriers; Targeted action; Permeation enhancement; Biomedical application.