Niosomes: Composition, Formulation Techniques, and Recent Progress as Delivery Systems in Cancer Therapy
Sergio Liga,
Cristina Paul,
Elena-Alina Moacă,
Francisc Péter
Affiliations
Sergio Liga
Biocatalysis Group, Department of Applied Chemistry and Engineering of Organic and Natural Compounds, Faculty of Industrial Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Politehnica University Timișoara, Carol Telbisz 6, 300001 Timișoara, Romania
Cristina Paul
Biocatalysis Group, Department of Applied Chemistry and Engineering of Organic and Natural Compounds, Faculty of Industrial Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Politehnica University Timișoara, Carol Telbisz 6, 300001 Timișoara, Romania
Elena-Alina Moacă
Department of Toxicology, Drug Industry, Management and Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
Francisc Péter
Biocatalysis Group, Department of Applied Chemistry and Engineering of Organic and Natural Compounds, Faculty of Industrial Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Politehnica University Timișoara, Carol Telbisz 6, 300001 Timișoara, Romania
Niosomes are vesicular nanocarriers, biodegradable, relatively non-toxic, stable, and inexpensive, that provide an alternative for lipid-solid carriers (e.g., liposomes). Niosomes may resolve issues related to the instability, fast degradation, bioavailability, and insolubility of different drugs or natural compounds. Niosomes can be very efficient potential systems for the specific delivery of anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antibacterial molecules. This review aims to present an overview of their composition, the most common formulation techniques, as well as of recent utilizations as delivery systems in cancer therapy.
