Niosomes

A Novel Nanocarrier to Advance the Topical Ophthalmic Drug Administration

Abstract

Niosomes are emerging nanocarriers in the drug delivery industry. They have an amphiphilic structure consisting of non-ionic surfactants to encapsulate various drugs inside. They are often compared to their counterparts, liposomes, which exhibit similar structures. Compared to liposomes, niosomes possess more promising aspects in the drug delivery industry due to their non-toxic and biocompatible nature. The niosomes are also being highlighted as a potential carrier for ocular drug delivery. In the most common ocular drug delivery route, topical administration, 95% of the drug is lost before it reaches the target site. Niosomes’ special properties have been found to enhance the permeability and bioavailability of ocular drugs. This paper initially provides general information about niosomes such as components, types, and differences from liposomes. It then moves on to their potential in ocular drug delivery by explaining their unique properties. Finally, it examines the application of niosomes in real disease treatment, recent trends in niosome development, and what can be done to foster the use of niosomes in the ocular industry.