Nanoliposomes as a platform for delivery of antimicrobials

Abstract

The recent expansion of pharmaceutical nanotechnology (nanomedicines) and targeting strategies for antimicrobial delivery are highlighted and utilized in the applied fields of biomedicine, cosmetology, pharmaceutical, and food technologies. Nanoliposomes are artificially prepared membranous vesicles often composed of natural phospholipids and cholesterol. Their structure is similar to the cell membrane, and they can trap and release compounds with different properties, including both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs. Nanoliposomes can be used to achieve a slow release of drugs; the reduced particle size enhances the surface area, improving bioavailability and solubility, and thereby reducing its toxicity. As pharmaceutical nanocarriers, liposomes have been extensively studied for topical/ dermal use against fungal diseases and as alternative therapy for diseases such as tuberculosis, due to the increase of antimicrobial efficacy, improving the interactions between pathogen and encapsulated drugs. Conventional liposomes have some limitations, such as low stability for long periods of storage and rapid uptake. Actually, a new generation of liposomes is developed with modifications in their surface, optimized size, high loading efficiency, ease of interaction with the cell membrane, and increased target specificity, gaining novel applications and increasing attention in the medicine area.