Liposomal delivery systems: Design optimization and current applications

Abstract

The liposome, a closed phospholipid bilayered vesicular system, has received considerable attention as a pharmaceutical carrier of great potential over the past 30 years. The ability of liposomes to encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, coupled with their biocompatibility and biodegradability, make liposomes attractive vehicles in the field of drug delivery. In addition, great technical advances such as remote drug loading, triggered release liposomes, ligand-targeted liposomes, liposomes containing combinations of drugs, and so on, have led to the widespread use of liposomes in diverse areas as delivery vehicles for anticancer, bio-active molecules, diagnostics, and therapeutic agents. In this review, we summarize design optimization of liposomal systems and invaluable applications of liposomes as effective delivery systems.