Proniosomes and niosomes for enhanced drug delivery

Abstract

Niosomes and proniosomes are vesicles and provesicular systems, respectively, widely applied in pharmaceutical sciences due to their versatility, safety, and relatively low cost compared with other vesicular systems. Their versatility is based on that they can be loaded with hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs in addition to sensitive molecules such as proteins and gene material. These formulations are mainly developed with nonionic surfactants, cholesterol, and other molecules. Strategies used for the development of proniosomes and niosomes-based systems have been carefully detailed in this work. Besides, factors affecting their formation are described. A characterization of niosomes and proniosomes, their applications pharmaceutical field, and finally, a comparative scheme of both systems showing their main features, weakness, and strengths are displayed.