Somes: A review on composition, formulation methods and evaluations of different types of “somes” drug delivery system

Abstract

Many drugs are available in the market for several diseases, disorder or even for a condition, but it is difficult to select a suitable carrier to attain maximum bioavailability and potential for a potent drug. Attaining a controlled and sustained release of a drug is purely focused on the selection of a carrier (natural, synthetic and hybrid) like nanosomes. Nanosomes have become a prominent tool in the field of pharmacy. Nanosomes are small uniform structures which deliver the drug to the specific targeted site, which mainly depends upon the presence of ligands, shape, size and surface chemistry. Nanosomes are available in various types which include Niosomes, Liposomes, Electrosomes, Aquasomes, Transfersomes, Phytosomes, Enzymosomes, Ethosomes, Invasome and Sphingosomes. In general, all these nanosomes are quite similar in nature with minute differences in their vesicular characteristics and composition. This review traces various ‘Somes’ composition and their role in the formulation, applications, advantages, disadvantages, common formulation procedures and evaluation parameters.