Reengineering infection treatment: Liposome-based innovations in antibacterial delivery

Abstract

Bacterial infections continue to pose significant global health challenges, particularly with the rise of antibiotic resistance and multi-drug resistant strains. Current treatment options are often associated with limitations such as toxicity, poor drug bioavailability, and limited specificity. Liposomes, as versatile drug delivery systems, offer promising solutions to these challenges. This review explores the use of liposomes in combating bacterial infections, focusing on their structure, composition, and mechanisms of drug encapsulation and release. Key advantages include targeted drug delivery, reduced toxicity, enhanced stability, and bioavailability, making liposomal therapies a favorable alternative to conventional treatments. Recent advancements in liposomal formulations and innovative lipid compositions, such as surface modifications, have further enhanced their targeting capabilities. This review also highlights the application of liposome-encapsulated antibiotics and antimicrobial peptides in addressing both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial infections, including multi-drug resistant strains. Comparative clinical data underscore the superior outcomes of liposomal therapies over conventional treatments. The article concludes by discussing future perspectives, emphasizing emerging trends in liposomal drug delivery, such as personalized medicine, which hold potential for optimizing therapeutic outcomes in bacterial infection management.

Keywords

• Liposomes
• Bioavailability
• Antimicrobials
• Antibiofilm
• Targeted delivery