Elastic liposomes as novel carriers: recent advances in drug delivery

• Published in: International Journal of Nanomedicine Vol. 12; pp. 5087 - 5108
• Main Authors: Hussain, Afzal, Singh, Sima, Sharma, Dinesh, Webster, Thomas J, Shafaat, Kausar, Faruk, Abdul
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01.01.2017; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Administration, Cutaneous; Administration, Topical; and Enhanced delivery; Animals; Antigens; Drug Carriers - administration & dosage; Drug delivery; Drug delivery systems; Drug Delivery Systems - methods; Drug Liberation; Drugs; Elastic liposomes; Elasticity; Humans; Hydration; Lipids; Lipids - administration & dosage; Liposomes; Liposomes - administration & dosage; Liposomes - chemistry; Permeability; Pharmaceutical sciences; Phase transitions; Physiological aspects; Polyethylene glycol; Properties; Review; Skin - drug effects; Skin Absorption; Surface-Active Agents - administration & dosage; Surface-Active Agents - chemistry; Surfactants; Topical; Transdermal; United States; India; Myanmar (Burma); topical; drug delivery; elastic liposomes; enhanced delivery; transdermal
• ISSN: 1178-2013; 1176-9114; 1178-2013
• DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S138267

Elastic liposomes (EL) are some of the most versatile deformable vesicular carriers that comprise physiologically biocompatible lipids and surfactants for the delivery of numerous challenging molecules and have marked advantages over other colloidal systems. They have been investigated for a wide range of applications in pharmaceutical technology through topical, transdermal, nasal, and oral routes for efficient and effective drug delivery. Increased drug encapsulation efficiency, enhanced drug permeation and penetration into or across the skin, and ultradeformability have led to widespread interest in ELs to modulate drug release, permeation, and drug action more efficiently than conventional drug-release vehicles. This review provides insights into the versatile role that ELs play in the delivery of numerous drugs and biomolecules by improving drug release, permeation, and penetration across the skin as well as stability. Furthermore, it provides future directions that should ensure the widespread use of ELs across all medical fields.