A Review on Formulation and Characterization Studies of Liposomes

Liposome was derived from two Greek words “Lipos” meaning fat and “Soma” meaning body. Liposomes where spherical shaped vesicles and have diameter of 50-300 nm. consist of phospholipids and cholesterol vesicles which are under extensive investigation as drug carriers for improving the bioavailability and delivery of therapeutic agents. Liposomes have immense capability to prevent the degradation of drugs, reduce side effects and thus increasingly used for targeted drug delivery. The drugs can either incorporated inside aqueous space (hydrophilic drugs) or inside phospholipids bilayer (hydrophobic drugs). Liposomes can be manufactured in different lipid compositions it shows variation in particle size, Size distribution, surface, number of lamella and encapsulation efficacy. The present review paper explains about introductory, classification of liposomes, structural components of liposomes, methods of preparation and application of liposomes are explained detailed. They are recently used for various nanoscale drugs formulation. The possible use of liposomes in the therapy of cancer has also been investigated. Because liposomes are non-toxic, biodegradable, immunogenic and biocompatible. These liposomes are generally administrated by intra-venous route. The formulated liposome is evaluated by Zeta Sizer, entrapment efficiency. Research on liposome technology has progressed from conventional vesicles to ‘second- generation liposomes. Liposomes with modified surfaces have also been developed using several molecules such as glycolipids or sialic acid, antineoplastic agents, doxorubicin and daunorubicin and cytarabine are advanced stages of clinical testing in humans.