NIOSOMES- VERSATILE NANO VESICLES FOR ENHANCED DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

The concept of Targeted drug delivery system was proposed by Paul Ehrlich in the year 1909. The Various carrier systems include liposomes, serum proteins, microspheres and niosomes. Among these Niosomes are vesicular delivery systems which enable effective Bioavailability With controlled release for prolonged period of time .The vesicular system of niosomes withbilayer structure obtained by hydrating mixture of non- ionic surfactant and cholesterol. Niosomes are utilized for Drug delivery to specific sites to achieve desired therapeutic effects. Niosomes containing non-ionic surfactants improve solubility of poorly water soluble active substances. In Niosomes, a vesicle is amphiphilic I nature which is non-ionic surfactant such as span-60 promotes their efficiency in encapsulating drugs. Cholesterol used to maintainthe rigidity of Niosomes. Niosomes are spherical in shape and consists lamellar structures atmicroscopic level. They are categorized into 2 group’s i.e Unilamellar and Multilamellar vesicles .Niosomes have various advantages over other delivery systems. Niosomal formulations used in many diseases like Neoplastic, Acquired immune deficiency syndrome, lung diseases, bacterial and fungal infections, inflammation. This review article is about the role of Niosomes as drug delivery system and information of their structure, preparation and applications.