Formulation and characterization of Tween 80/cholestherol niosomes modified with tri-n-octylmethylammonium chloride (TOMAC) for carboxylic acids entrapment

Reassembly of the vesicular structure of niosomes after their destruction in a mechanical field

This paper presents, for the first time, evidence for vesicle destruction and payload loss at the stage of purification of niosome dispersions by centrifugation, an important operation in the assembly of vesicular materials. The ability of niosomes of different compositions to reassemble, i.e., to restore the vesicular structure after destruction in the field of centrifugal forces, was demonstrated by dynamic light scattering and fluorescence spectroscopy. The kinetics of reassembly of vesicular structures is determined by the strength of the centrifugal field and the composition of niosomes. In contrast to ternary compositions, where particle size and modality are essentially unchanged after redispersion of the precipitate resulting from centrifugation, niosome dispersions containing anionic dicetyl phosphate includes micron-sized particles after redispersion, which vary in size over a wide range throughout the observation period. The reassembly process is complicated by the presence of charge on the surface of the niosomes. Elastic niosomes - ethosomes have been synthesised which, due to the high deformability of the shells, are less susceptible to destruction in the centrifugal field and retain the contents of the aqueous core. Using the "energy landscape" approximation, it is shown that vesicular structures assembled during hydration and reassembled after their centrifugation occupy different positions in the energetic pathway of their preparation. The results obtained should also be taken into account when determining the entrapment efficiency, since this procedure uses centrifugation to separate the load. It is important to note that the physical stability of niosomes, which is usually considered in terms of the functional activity of particles, is manifest and should be considered at the material preparation stage.

A Comprehensive Review on Niosomes as a Strategy in Targeted Drug Delivery: Pharmaceutical, and Herbal Cosmetic Applications

Niosomes are newly developed, self-assembling sac-like transporters that deliver medication at a specific site in a focused manner, increasing availability in the body and prolonging healing effects. Niosome discovery has increased drugs' therapeutic effectiveness while also reducing adverse effects. This article aims to concentrate on the increase in the worldwide utilization of niosomal formulation. This overview presents a thorough perspective of niosomal investigation up until now, encompassing categories and production techniques, their significance in pharmaceutical transportation, and cosmetic use. The thorough literature review revealed that extensive attention has been given to developing nanocarriers for drug delivery as they hold immense endeavor to attain targeted delivery to the affected area simultaneously shielding the adjacent healthy tissue. Many reviews and research papers have been published that demonstrate the interest of scientists in niosomes. Phytoconstituents, which possess antioxidant, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, anti-acne, and skin whitening properties, are also encapsulated into niosome. Their flexibility allows for the incorporation of various therapeutic agents, including small molecules, proteins, and peptides making them adaptable for different types of drugs. Niosomes can be modified with ligands, enhancing their targeting capabilities. A flexible drug delivery mechanism provided by non-ionic vesicles, which are self-assembling vesicular nano-carriers created from hydrating non-ionic surfactant, cholesterol, or amphiphilic compounds along comprehensive applications such as transdermal and brain-targeted delivery.

Combination drug therapy by herbal nanomedicine prevent multidrug resistance protein 1: promote apoptosis in Lung Carcinoma

Given the numerous adverse effects of lung cancer treatment, more research on non-toxic medications is urgently needed. Curcumin (CUR) and berberine (BBR) combat drug resistance by controlling the expression of multidrug resistant pump (MDR1). Fascinatingly, combining these medications increases the effectiveness of preventing lung cancer. Their low solubility and poor stability, however, restrict their therapeutic efficacy. Because of the improved bioavailability and increased encapsulation effectiveness of water-insoluble medicines, surfactant-based nanovesicles have recently received a great deal of attention. The current study sought to elucidate the Combination drug therapy by herbal nanomedicine prevent multidrug resistance protein 1: promote apoptosis in Lung Carcinoma. The impact of several tween (20, 60, and 80) types with varied hydrophobic tails on BBR/CUR-TNV was evaluated. Additionally, the MDR1 activity and apoptosis rate of the BBR/CUR-TNV combination therapy were assessed. The encapsulation effectiveness of TNV was affected by the type of tween. With the TNV made from tween 60, cholesterol, and PEG (47.5: 47.5:5), more encapsulation effectiveness was attained. By combining CUR with BBR, especially when given in TNV, apoptosis increased. Additionally, when CUR and BBR were administered in combination, they significantly reduced the risk of MDR1 development. The current work suggests that the delivery of berberine and curcumin as a combination medication therapy via tween-based nanovesicles may be a potential lung cancer treatment.

Niosomes: a novel targeted drug delivery system for cancer

Recently, nanotechnology is involved in various fields of science, of which medicine is one of the most obvious. The use of nanoparticles in the process of treating and diagnosing diseases has created a novel way of therapeutic strategies with effective mechanisms of action. Also, due to the remarkable progress of personalized medicine, the effort is to reduce the side effects of treatment paths as much as possible and to provide targeted treatments. Therefore, the targeted delivery of drugs is important in different diseases, especially in patients who receive combined drugs, because the delivery of different drug structures requires different systems so that there is no change in the drug and its effectiveness. Niosomes are polymeric nanoparticles that show favorable characteristics in drug delivery. In addition to biocompatibility and high absorption, these nanoparticles also provide the possibility of reducing the drug dosage and targeting the release of drugs, as well as the delivery of both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs by Niosome vesicles. Since various factors such as components, preparation, and optimization methods are effective in the size and formation of niosomal structures, in this review, the characteristics related to niosome vesicles were first examined and then the in silico tools for designing, prediction, and optimization were explained. Finally, anticancer drugs delivered by niosomes were compared and discussed to be a suitable model for designing therapeutic strategies. In this research, it has been tried to examine all the aspects required for drug delivery engineering using niosomes and finally, by presenting clinical examples of the use of these nanocarriers in cancer, its clinical characteristics were also expressed.

Development of a carbon dot and methylene blue NIR-emitting FLIM-FRET pair in niosomes for controlled ROS generation

Non-ionic surfactant vesicular systems (niosomes) are structurally similar to lipid vesicles, differing only in the bilayer composition. Herein we report a unique method to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) utilizing a FLIM-FRET technique involving niosome-trapped yellow emissive carbon dots (YCDs) and methylene blue (MB) in aqueous medium under neutral conditions. Niosomes are biologically important because of their good stability and extremely low toxicity. Fluorescent CDs, emitting in the higher wavelengths on visible light excitation, are of incredible importance in bio-imaging and optoelectronics. Hence, we prepared nitrogen-containing YCDs from a single precursor, o-phenylenediamine, and explained their detailed photophysics upon incorporation into the niosomal bilayer. The YCDs are polarity sensitive, and are rotationally restricted in niosomes, which increases their fluorescence quantum yield from 29% (in water) to 91%. These YCDs are tactically employed to develop a near infrared (NIR) FRET pair with methylene blue (MB), which is a very well-known type-I and type-II photosensitizer. This FRET pair, which emits in the NIR region, is found to be an ideal system to generate ROS by excitation in the lower visible wavelengths. Interestingly, the ROS production by MB from the dissolved oxygen is enhanced inside the niosomes. The donor and the acceptor moieties in this unique NIR-emitting FRET pair display an unprecedented 300 nm Stokes shift. The findings could be influential in bio-imaging in the NIR region evading cellular autofluorescence and the controllably generated ROS can be further applied as a potential photodynamic therapeutic agent.

Functionalized niosomes as a smart delivery device in cancer and fungal infection

Various diseases remain untreated due to lack of suitable therapeutic moiety or a suitable drug delivery device, especially where toxicities and side effects are the primary reason for concern. Cancer and fungal infections are diseases where treatment schedules are not completed due to severe side effects or lengthy treatment protocols. Advanced treatment approaches such as active targeting and inhibition of angiogenesis may be preferred method for the treatment for malignancy over the conventional method. Niosomes may be a better alternative drug delivery carrier for various therapeutic moieties (either hydrophilic or hydrophobic) and also due to ease of surface modification, non-immunogenicity and economical. Active targeting approach may be done by targeting the receptors through coupling of suitable ligand on niosomal surface. Moreover, various receptors (CD44, folate, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) & Vascular growth factor receptor (VGFR)) expressed by malignant cells have also been reviewed. The preparation of suitable niosomal formulation also requires considerable attention, and its formulation depends upon various factors such as selection of non-ionic surfactant, method of fabrication, and fabrication parameters. A combination therapy (dual drug and immunotherapy) has been proposed for the treatment of fungal infection with special consideration for surface modification with suitable ligand on niosomal surface to sensitize the receptors (C-type lectin receptors, Toll-like receptors & Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors) present on immune cells involved in fungal immunity. Certain gene silencing concept has also been discussed as an advanced alternative treatment for cancer by silencing the mRNA at molecular level using short interfering RNA (si-RNA).

Vesicular Emulgel Based System for Transdermal Delivery of Insulin: Factorial Design and in Vivo Evaluation

Transdermal delivery of insulin is a great challenge due to its poor permeability through the skin. The aim of the current investigation was to evaluate the prospective of insulin loaded niosome emulgel as a noninvasive delivery system for its transdermal therapy. A 23 full-factorial design was used to optimize the insulin niosome emulgel by assessing the effect of independent variables (concentration of paraffin oil, Tween 80 and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose) on dependent variables (in vitro release, viscosity and in vitro permeation). The physical characteristics of the prepared formulations were carried out by determining viscosity, particle size, entrapment efficiency, drug loading, drug release and kinetics. In vitro permeation studies were carried out using rat skin membrane. Hypoglycemic activity of prepared formulations was assessed in diabetic-induced rats. It was observed that the independent variables influenced the dependent variables. A significant difference (p < 0.05) in viscosity was noticed between the prepared gels, which in turn influenced the insulin release. The order of permeation is: insulin niosome emulgel > insulin niosome gel > insulin emulgel > insulin gel > insulin niosomes > insulin solution. The enhancement in transdermal flux in insulin niosome emulgel was 10-fold higher than the control (insulin solution). In vivo data significantly demonstrated reduction (p < 0.05) of plasma glucose level (at six hours) by insulin niosome emulgel than other formulations tested. The results suggest that the developed insulin niosome emulgel could be an efficient carrier for the transdermal delivery of insulin.

Utilization of green formulation technique and efficacy estimation on cell line studies for dual anticancer drug therapy with niosomes

The aim of the present study was to prepare niosome formulations for the simultaneous encapsulation, dual drug therapy, of two anticancer drugs by the ecological probe sonication method. Poloxamer and sorbitan monostearate were used as surface active agents in niosomes, and the water soluble doxorubicin and poorly-water soluble paclitaxel were used as anticancer drugs. Thorough physicochemical analysis were performed for the niosomes, and their cytotoxicity and activity were evaluated on MCF-7 and PC3-MM2 cancer cell lines. Prepared niosomes were small in size with sizes ranging from 137 nm to 893 nm, and entrapment efficiencies were high, ranging from 91.24% to 99.99%. During the four weeks stability testing, the particle size remained stable. The niosomal formulations showed in vitro sustained drug release profiles for doxorubicin and clearly increased the dissolution rate of poorly water soluble paclitaxel. The incorporation of both the drugs into niosomes improved cell penetration and antiproliferative activity of the drugs PC3-MM2 cell lines. As a conclusion, doxorubicin and paclitaxel loaded niosome formulations resulted in relatively stable, small sized niosomes with improved drug release profiles, low toxicity, better cell penetration and antiproliferative activity. The niosomes showed synergistic effect due to the presence of both drugs, which can overcome multidrug resistance.

Recent advances in non-ionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes): Fabrication, characterization, pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications

Development of nanocarriers for drug delivery has received considerable attention due to their potential in achieving targeted delivery to the diseased site while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue. Safe and efficient drug delivery has always been a challenge in medicine. During the last decade, a large amount of interest has been drawn on the fabrication of surfactant-based vesicles to improve drug delivery. Niosomes are self-assembled vesicular nano-carriers formed by hydration of non-ionic surfactant, cholesterol or other amphiphilic molecules that serve as a versatile drug delivery system with a variety of applications ranging from dermal delivery to brain-targeted delivery. A large number of research articles have been published reporting their fabrication methods and applications in pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields. Niosomes have the same advantages as liposomes, such as the ability to incorporate both hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds. Besides, niosomes can be fabricated with simple methods, require less production cost and are stable over an extended period, thus overcoming the major drawbacks of liposomes. This review provides a comprehensive summary of niosomal research to date, it provides a detailed overview of the formulation components, types of niosomes, effects of components on the formation of niosomes, fabrication and purification methods, physical characterization techniques of niosomes, recent applications in pharmaceutical field such as in oral, ocular, topical, pulmonary, parental and transmucosal drug delivery, and cosmetic applications. Finally, limitations and the future outlook for this delivery system have also been discussed.

Controlled release and macrophage polarizing activity of cold-pressed rice bran oil in a niosome system

Phytosterols, α-tocopherol and γ-oryzanol are scientifically recognized as major health promoting compounds found in cold-pressed rice bran oil (CRBO).

Ultrasonic Processing Technique as a Green Preparation Approach for Diacerein-Loaded Niosomes

In this study, the feasibility of ultrasonic processing (UP) technique as green preparation method for production of poorly soluble model drug substance, diacerein, loaded niosomes was demonstrated. Also, the effects of different surfactant systems on niosomes' characteristics were analyzed. Niosomes were prepared using both the green UP technique and traditional thin-film hydration (TFH) technique, which requires the use of environmentally hazardous organic solvents. The studied surfactant systems were Span 20, Pluronic L64, and their mixture (Span 20 and Pluronic L64). Both the production techniques produced well-defined spherical vesicles, but the UP technique produced smaller and more monodisperse niosomes than TFH. The entrapment efficiencies with the UP method were lower than with TFH, but still at a feasible level. All the niosomal formulations released diacerein faster than pure drug, and the drug release rates from the niosomes produced by the UP method were higher than those from the TFH-produced niosomes. With UP technique, the optimum process conditions for small niosomal products with low PDI values and high entrapment efficiencies were obtained when 70% amplitude and 45-min sonication time were used. The overall results demonstrated the potency of UP technique as an alternative fast, cost-effective, and green preparation approach for production of niosomes, which can be utilized as drug carrier systems for poorly soluble drug materials.

Hydrophilically modified self-assembling α-tocopherol derivative as niosomal nanocarrier for improving clarithromycin oral bioavailability

Synthesis of biocompatible and cost-effective novel nonionic surfactants from renewable resources has been the subject of greater scientific interest for enhancing the bioavailability of less water-soluble drugs. The present study focuses on the synthesis of α-tocopherol-based novel biocompatible nonionic surfactant and its evaluation for forming clarithromycin-loaded niosomal drug delivery system. α-tocopherol was hydrophilically modified through multistep reactions and characterized using mass and ¹H NMR spectroscopic techniques. Drug-loaded niosomal vesicles were investigated for entrapment efficiency (%EE), size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ζ) and morphology using LC-MS, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Blood haemolysis, cell culture and acute toxicity tests were performed to investigate its biocompatibility. In vivo oral bioavailability of clarithromycin loaded in niosomal formulation was studied in rabbits. The vesicles were spherical in shape and entrapped up to 75 ± 2.57% of the drug. They exhibited a homogeneous size distribution with a mean diameter of 245 ± 4.66 nm. The surfactant was quite haemocompatible, low cytotoxic and safe in mice. Improved oral bioavailability of clarithromycin was achieved when carried in α-tocopherol-based niosomes. Results obtained showed that the synthesized amphiphile is biocompatible and has excellent capability for formation of niosomal vesicles and enhancing oral bioavailability of less water-soluble drugs like clarithromycin.