Niosomes NDDS: An Overview Harshit Gautam, Dr Abhishek Nagar

Niosomes are self-assembled, non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles that serve as an advanced drug delivery system (DDS), enhancing bioavailability, stability, and controlled release of therapeutic agents. Composed of non-ionic surfactants, cholesterol, and water, they offer a cost-effective and stable alternative to liposomes. Structurally similar to liposomes, niosomes encapsulate both hydrophilic drugs in their aqueous core and lipophilic drugs within their lipid bilayer. The biocompatibility, ease of formulation, and potential for targeted drug delivery make niosomes suitable for various pharmaceutical applications. Surfactants like Span and Tween, combined with cholesterol, stabilize the bilayer, preventing leakage and enhancing vesicle rigidity. Their ability to cross biological barriers such as the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and blood-brain barrier allows for versatile administration routes. Niosomes can be prepared using methods like the thin-film hydration method, reverse phase evaporation, microfluidics, and emulsion-based techniques, each influencing size, drug encapsulation efficiency, and release profile. The drug release can be tailored by adjusting the surfactant-to-cholesterol ratio, surfactant type, and incorporating stabilizers or targeting ligands. Overall, niosomes provide controlled, sustained, and site-specific drug delivery, reducing dosing frequency and improving patient compliance.