Recent developments on proliposome technology and applications

Abstract

Objective: Liposomes are the most promising and feasible carriers among other drug delivery systems. However, physical and chemical stability problems of liposomes limit their use. In order to overcome these problems, proliposomal systems were developed in 1986. Within the scope of this review, scientific researches about proliposomal drug delivery systems and their applications were presented by searching academic databases. Result and Discussion: Proliposomes are powder or liquid lipid formulations of active agent, water-soluble carrier material and phospholipids, which form a multilamellar liposomal suspension upon contact with water or biological fluids. In this review, general information about proliposomes as drug delivery systems were given. The components used in the preparation of proliposomes and their properties were described. The preparation technologies, characterization and advantages of proliposomes were discussed. In the last part of the review, studies on the administration of proliposomes by oral, parenteral, pulmonary, transdermal and mucosal routes were summarized. Proliposomes are promising drug delivery systems because of their superior in vivo efficacy, high stability and industrial fabricability.