Abstract

NATURAL POLYSACCHARIDES BASED NIOSOMES: A PROMISING DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Rohit, S. C. Arora, Rashmi Manchanda* and Rajesh Manchanda

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Abstract

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 bilayers structure assembled by nonionic surfactants is able to enhance the bioavailability and permeability of a drug to a predetermined area for a period. Natural Polymers are utilized in drug delivery to provide consistency and in addition, they are multi-functional providing stability, drug release, targeting, enhanced bioavailability and patient acceptability. Natural polymers are materials of large molecular weights from natural origins such as plants, micro-organisms and animals. In comparison to synthetic, natural polymers remain attractive primarily because they are inexpensive, readily available, capable of multitude of chemical modifications and potentially biodegradable and compatible due to their origin. Natural polymers possess wide scope in drug, food and cosmetic industries. This review discusses some of the most important Natural polymeric compounds that are used or investigated as release retardant in niosomes based drug delivery systems.

Keywords: Nanotechnology, Niosomes, Natural Polysaccharides, targeted drug delivery system.