Liposomes as Smart Drug Delivery Vehicles: Advances, Applications, And Future Prospects

Liposomes are spherical vesicles composed of one or more phospholipid bilayers that have emerged as versatile and biocompatible carriers for drug delivery. Their unique structural characteristics allow encapsulation of both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, enhancing solubility, stability, and targeted delivery. Over the past few decades, liposomal formulations have demonstrated significant potential in improving the therapeutic efficacy of various drugs while minimizing toxicity. This review highlights the structural and compositional aspects of liposomes, preparation methods, mechanisms of drug delivery, and their applications in diverse therapeutic areas including cancer, infectious diseases, and gene therapy. Emphasis is also placed on advanced liposomal technologies, their role in combination therapies, regulatory challenges, and clinical translation. As research advances, liposomes continue to play a pivotal role in modern drug delivery systems, offering promising avenues for precision medicine and nanotherapeutics.