Non-Ionic Surfactant Vesicles (Niosomes): Structure, Functions, Classification and its Advances in Enhanced Drug Delivery

Non-ionic surfactant vesicles, commonly known as niosomes, have gained significant attention in the field of drug delivery because of their unique properties and advantages. Niosomes are self-assembled vesicles composed of non-ionic surfactants and cholesterol that can entrap both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs within their aqueous core or bilayer. This versatile drug delivery system offers improved stability, prolonged release profiles, reduced toxicity, and enhanced efficacy for a wide range of therapeutic agents. This comprehensive article delves into the structure, function, classification, and advances in niosomes for enhanced drug delivery. It explores various nonionic surfactants used for niosome formulation and discusses their impact on encapsulation efficiency and stability. Moreover, it highlights the application of niosomes in the delivery of small molecules, proteins, and plant-derived natural products. This article provides an overview of the different formulation methods employed for niosome preparation and discusses recent advancements that have expanded their potential applications in targeted drug delivery systems.