Niosomes
Niosomes
Niosomes
Definition:
Niosomes are non-ionic surfactant based multi lamellar or uni
lamellar vesicles in which an aqueous solution of solute(s) is
entirely enclosed by a membrane resulted from the organization of
surfactant macromolecules as bilayers.
TYPES OF NIOSOMES
Divided into three categories:
• SMALL UNILAMELLAR VESICLES (10 -100nm)
• LARGE UNILAMELLAR VESICLES (100 - 3000nm)
• MULTI-LAMELLAR VESICLES (>1 BILAYER)
1. NON-IONIC SURFACTANTS:
• Surfactants are Amphiphilic molecules (hydrophilic &
hydrophobic)
• Lipophilic chain made of alkanes, fluorocarbons,
aromatic or other non polar groups
• Head group involves highly solvated hydrophilic
functionalities such as sulfonates, carboxylates,
phosphonates & ammonium derivatives
• Non-ionic surfactant has no charge group in its head
• If head charge is positive it called cationic surfactant
(irritant & toxic)
• If head has two oppositely charged group it termed
amphoteric (ZWITTERIONIC) surfactant
Using Markers like carboxy fluorescein (CF) and Disrupting
agents like triton X-100, propanlol (50%).
Therapeutic Applications of Niosomes
The applications can be mainly classified into three categories
1) For Controlled Release of Drugs
Ophthalmic Drug Delivery
2) To Improve the Stability and Physical Properties of the Drugs
To Increase Oral Bioavailability
For Improvement of Stability of Peptide Drugs
To Promote Transdermal Delivery of Drugs
Improvement of Stability of Immunological Products
Improve Anti-inflammatory Activity
3) For Targeting and Retention of Drug in Blood Circulation
For Increased Uptake by A431 Cells
For Liver Targeting
To Improve the Efficacy of Drugs in Cancer Therapy
In Treatment of Localized Psoriasis
In Leishmaniasis
In Diagnostic Imaging
Carrier for Haemoglobin.
1. For Controlled Release
The release rate of drugs like withaferin and gliclazide from the
niosomes was found slower as compared to other dosage forms