LIPOSOMAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS: FUNDAMENTALS, ADVANCES AND THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS

Liposomes are phospholipid vesicles that have proven to be promising drug delivery systems, capable of carrying both hydrophilic and hydrophobic therapeutic agents. They have been used in a diverse array of pharmaceutical applications because of their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to enhance drug solubility, stability, bioavailability, and therapeutic effects. New developments in liposomal technology, such as PEGylated liposomes, actively targeted liposomes, and stimulus-responsive liposomes, have greatly improved circulation time, site-specific delivery, and controlled drug release. With these developments, liposomes are being used in cancer treatment, vaccine delivery, fungal treatment, pain therapy, eye delivery, and transdermal drug delivery. Although they offer benefits, they also face challenges, including stability, drug leakage, manufacturing complexity, and production scale.