Niosomes: A vesicular system for drug targeting

ABSTRACT Drug targeting is a phenomenon in which the distribution of drug in the body is in such a manner that the major fraction of the drug interacts with the target tissue at a cellular or subcellular level to achieve a desired pharmacological response at a selected site without undesirable interactions at other sites. This can be achieved by using novel drug delivery system such as niosomes, these are the non-ionic surfactant vesicles obtained on hydration of synthetic nonionic surfactants, with incorporation of cholesterol. They are vesicular systems similar to liposomes that can be used as carriers of amphiphilic and lipophilic drugs. Niosomes are promising vehicle for drug delivery and it has been widely evaluated for controlled release and targeted delivery for the treatment of cancer, auto immune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis), viral infections and other microbial diseases. Encapsulation of drug in vesicular system can be predicted to prolong the existence of drug in the systemic circulation and enhance penetration into target tissue, perhaps reduce toxicity if selective uptake can be achieved. The present articles focuses on the various method of preparation, factors affecting niosomes and its applications. Keywords:-niosomes, hydrophobic drug, ampiphiles, cholesterol, non-ionic surfactant, factors, applications.