Application of Box-Behnken Design in the Preparation, Optimization, and In Vitro Evaluation of Self-Assembly–Based Tamoxifen- and Doxorubicin-Loaded and Dual Drug–Loaded Niosomes for Combinatorial Breast Cancer Treatment

Chitosan-coated nanoliposome: An approach for simultaneous encapsulation of caffeine and roselle-anthocyanin in beverages

The objective of the present research was to develop chitosan-coated nanoliposomes using a modified heating method as a delivery system for simultaneous encapsulation of caffeine and roselle anthocyanin to fortify beverage. Response surface methodology was used to ascertain the optimized formulation, aiming to maximize the encapsulation efficiency, minimize the particle size, and maximize the zeta potential. The liposomes fabricated under the optimized conditions (lecithin to cholesterol ratio of 13 and wall to core ratio of 2.16) showed encapsulation efficiency values of 66.73 % for caffeine and 97.03 % for anthocyanin, with a size of 268.1 nm and a zeta potential of -39.11 mV. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the formation of hydrogen bonds between the polar sites of lecithin and the loaded core compounds. Thermal analysis suggested the successful encapsulation of the caffeine and anthocyanin. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy images confirmed a uniform spherical shape with a smooth surface. Fortifying the model beverage with the liposome and the chitosan-coated nanoliposome revealed higher values of encapsulation efficiency of anthocyanin (70.33 ± 3.11 %), caffeine (86.37 ± 2.17 %) and smaller size (280.5 ± 0.74 nm) of the chitosan-coated nanoliposomes at the end of 60the days. A hedonic sensory test of the fortified beverage with chitosan-coated nanoliposomes confirmed an improvement in the organoleptic properties of the beverage by masking its bitterness (receiving three more sensory scores in perceiving the bitterness intensity). Overall, our study indicates that the high potential of the chitosan-coated nanoliposomes for the simultaneous loading of the caffeine and anthocyanin, as well as their possible application in food and beverage formulations.

Micro/nano-encapsulation of marine dietary oils: A review on biomacromolecule-based delivery systems and their role in preventing cardiovascular diseases

Marine-based dietary oils (MDOs), which are naturally obtained from different sources, have been scientifically recommended as potent functional bioactives owing to their therapeutic biological activities; however, they have exhibited plenty of health benefits. Though they are very sensitive to light, temperature, moisture, and oxygen, as well as being chemically unstable and merely oxidized, this may limit their utilization in food and pharmaceutical products. Miro- and nanoencapsulation techniques are considered to be the most promising tactics for enhancing the original characteristics, physiochemical properties, and therapeutic effects of entrapped MDOs. This review focuses on the biomacromolecule-stabilized micro/nanocarriers encompassing a wide range of MDOs. The novel-equipped polysaccharides and protein-based micro/nanocarriers cover microemulsions, microcapsules, nanoemulsions, and nanoliposomes, which have been proven to be encouraging candidates for the entrapment of diverse kinds of MDOs. In addition, the current state-of-the-art loading of various MDOs through polysaccharide and protein-based micro/nanocarriers has been comprehensively discussed and tabulated in detail. Biomacromolecule-stabilized nanocarriers, particularly nanoemulsions and nanoliposomes, are addressed as propitious nanocargos for protection of MDOs in response to thought-provoking features as well as delivering the successful, meticulous release to the desired sites. Gastrointestinal fate (GF) of biopolymeric micro/nanocarriers is fundamentally based on their centrifugation, dimension, interfacial, and physical properties. The external surface of epithelial cells in the lumen is the main site where the absorption of lipid-based nanoparticles takes place. MDO-loaded micro- and nanocarriers with biological origins or structural modifications have shown some novel applications that could be used as future therapies for cardiovascular disorders, thanks to today's cutting-edge medical technology. In the future, further investigations are highly needed to open new horizons regarding the application of polysaccharide and protein-based micro/nanocarriers in food and beverage products with the possibility of commercialization in the near future for industrial use.

Composition, preparation methods, and applications of nanoniosomes as codelivery systems: a review of emerging therapies with emphasis on cancer

Nanoniosome-based drug codelivery systems have become popular therapeutic instruments, demonstrating tremendous promise in cancer therapy, infection treatment, and other therapeutic domains. An emerging form of vesicular nanocarriers, niosomes are self-assembling vesicles composed of nonionic surfactants, along with cholesterol or other amphiphilic molecules. This comprehensive review focuses on how nanosystems may aid in making anticancer and antibacterial pharmaceuticals more stable and soluble. As malleable nanodelivery instruments, the composition, types, preparation procedures, and variables affecting the structure and stability of niosomes are extensively investigated. In addition, the advantages of dual niosomes for combination therapy and the administration of multiple medications simultaneously are highlighted. Along with categorizing niosomal drug delivery systems, a comprehensive analysis of various preparation techniques, including thin-layer injection, ether injection, and microfluidization, is provided. Dual niosomes for cancer treatment are discussed in detail regarding the codelivery of two medications and the codelivery of a drug with organic, plant-based bioactive compounds or gene agents. In addition, niogelosomes and metallic niosomal carriers for targeted distribution are discussed. The review also investigates the simultaneous delivery of bioactive substances and gene agents, including siRNA, microRNA, shRNA, lncRNA, and DNA. Additional sections discuss the use of dual niosomes for cutaneous drug delivery and treating leishmanial infections, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The study concludes by delineating the challenges and potential routes for nanoniosome-based pharmaceutical codelivery systems, which will be useful for nanomedicine practitioners and researchers.

Formulation, optimization and evaluation of amisulpride-loaded niosomal intranasal gel for brain targeting

Aim: To develop stable non-ionic surfactant vesicles containing amisulpride (AMS) to improve brain uptake via nose to brain mechanism. Methods: Niosomes were developed using a modified ethanol injection technique, optimized using 32 factorial design and evaluated for the vesicle size (VS), percent encapsulation efficiency (EE), zeta potential (ZP) and % cumulative drug release (%CDR). Results: Optimized niosomes (Span-60: cholesterol ratio 0:1) showed 191.4 nm VS, 84.25% EE, -38.2 ZP and 81.31% CDR. In situ gel with these niosomes displayed 78% CDR. TEM analysis revealed spherical niosomes. Pharmacokinetic and brain tissue distribution studies in rats showed enhanced plasma and brain concentrations, indicating successful brain targeting. Conclusion: This strategy demonstrates improved AMS permeation via the nasal cavity, enhancing bioavailability for treating schizophrenia.

Dynamacophore model for breast cancer estrogen receptor alpha as an effective lead generation screening technique

Regardless to overwhelming quantum of cancer research worldwide, there are few drugs on the market to treat disease conditions. This is owing to multiple process inferences of drug targets in integrated pathways for invasion, growth, and metastasis. Over the past years, the death rate due to breast cancer has been increasing, that set the stage for improved better treatment. Therefore, there is a persistent and vital demand for innovative development of drugs to treat breast cancer. Many studies have reported that more than 60% of breast cancers are Estrogen receptor-α (ERα)-positive tumours and a key transcription factor, Estrogen receptor-α (ERα) was believed to promote proliferation of breast cancer cells. In this study, 150 ns of molecular dynamics was performed for protein-ligand complex to retrieve the potential stable conformations. The most populated dynamics cluster of 4-Hydroxytamoxifen intact with active site amino acid was selected to generate dynamacophore model (dynamic pharmacophore). Further, internal model validation with AU-ROC values ∼0.93 indicate the best model to screen library. The refined hits are funnelled in pharmacokinetics/dynamics, CDOCKER molecular docking, MM-GBSA and density functional theory to identify the promising ERα ligand candidates.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Application of Box-Behnken Design in the Preparation, Optimization, and In-Vivo Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Oral Tadalafil-Loaded Niosomal Film

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) affects about 90% of men whose ages are over 65. Tadalafil, a selective PDE-5 inhibitor, was approved by FDA for BPH, however, its poor aqueous solubility and bioavailability are considered major drawbacks. This work intended to develop and evaluate oral fast dissolving film containing tadalafil-loaded niosomes for those who cannot receive the oral dosage form. Niosomes were statistically optimized by Box-Behnken experimental design and loaded into a polymeric oral film. Niosomes were assessed for their vesicular size, uniformity, and zeta potential. The thickness, content uniformity, folding endurance, tensile strength, disintegration time, and surface morphology were evaluated for the prepared polymeric film. The optimized niosomes revealed high entrapment efficiency (99.78 ± 2.132%) and the film was smooth with good flexibility and convenient thickness (110 ± 10 µm). A fast release of tadalafil was achieved within 5 min significantly faster than the niosomes-free drug film. The in-vivo bioavailability in rats established that the optimized niosomal film enhanced tadalafil systemic absorption, with higher peak concentration (Cmax = 0.63 ± 0.03 µg/mL), shorter Tmax value (0.66-fold), and relative bioavailability of 118.4% compared to the marketed tablet. These results propose that the oral film of tadalafil-loaded niosomes is a suitable therapeutic application that can be passed with ease to geriatric patients who suffer from BPH.

Co-encapsulation of Curcumin and Boswellic Acids in Chitosan-Coated Niosome: An In-vitro Digestion Study

AIM

In this study chitosan-coated niosome (ChN) was utilized for bioavailability enhancement of curcumin (Cn) and boswellic acids (BAs).

METHODS

The bare niosome (BN) was prepared by the heating method and optimized by using the mixture design procedure. Physicochemical stability, as well as the in vitro release, and bioavailability of Cn and BAs in BN and ChN were studied.

RESULTS

The optimized BN had a mean diameter of 70.00 ± 0.21 nm and surface charge of -31.00 ± 0.25 mv, which changed to 60.01 ± 0.20 nm and +40.00 ± 0, respectively, in ChN. In-vitro digestion study revealed chitosan layer augmented the bioavailability of Cn and BAs to 79.02 ± 0.13 and 81 ± 0.10, respectively. The chitosan layer obviously improved the physical stability of Cn and BA in the niosome vehicle, by means of vesicle size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency.

CONCLUSION

The Chitosan-coated niosome was considered to be promising delivery system for increasing the bioavailability of Cn and BAs.

Current State-of-the-Art and New Trends in Self-Assembled Nanocarriers as Drug Delivery Systems

Self-assembled nanocarrier drug delivery has received profuse attention in the field of diagnosis and treatment of diseases. These carriers have proved that serious life-threatening diseases can be eliminated evidently by virtue of their characteristic design and features. This review is aimed at systematically presenting the research and advances in the field of self-assembled nanocarriers such as polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, liposomes, inorganic nanocarriers, solid lipid nanoparticles, polymerosomes, micellar systems, niosomes, and some other nanoparticles. The self-assembled delivery of nanocarriers has been developed in recent years for targeting diseases. Some of the innovative attempts with regard to prolonging drug action, improving bioavailability, avoiding drug resistance, enhancing cellular uptake, and so on have been discussed. The discussion about various delivery systems included the investigation conducted at the preliminary stage, i.e., preclinical trials and assessment of safety. The clinical studies of some of the recently developed self-assembled products are currently at the clinical trial phase or FDA approved.

Nanosized paclitaxel-loaded niosomes: formulation, in vitro cytotoxicity, and apoptosis gene expression in breast cancer cell lines

BACKGROUND

In this study, the optimized niosomal formulation containing paclitaxel using non-ionic surfactants and cholesterol was designed and its cytotoxic effects against different breast cancer cell lines and apoptosis gene expression analysis were also investigated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Due to enhancing equation variables, the Box-Behnken method has been applied. Lipid/drug molar ratio, the amounts of Span 60, and cholesterol were selected as the target for optimization. The particle size of niosome loaded paclitaxel and entrapment efficiency proportion have been considered in the role of dependent variables. Then the cytotoxic activity of the optimized formulation was evaluated using an MTT assay against different breast cancer cell lines including MCF-7, T-47D, SkBr3, and MDA-MB-231. The expression level of Bax and Bcl-2 apoptosis genes was determined by Real-Time PCR. In this study, the optimized niosomal formulation revealed that the synthesized niosomes had a spherical appearance and had an average size of 192.73 ± 5.50 nm so that the percentage of drug loading was 94.71 ± 1.56%. Moreover, this formulation showed a controlled and slowed release of paclitaxel at different pH (7.4, 6.5, and 5.4). The cytotoxicity results demonstrated that cell viability in all concentrations of niosome loaded paclitaxel had profound cytotoxic effects on all studied breast cancer cell lines compared to the free paclitaxel (p < 0.05). In addition, the expression of apoptosis genes was much higher than that of free paclitaxel indicating the susceptibility of cells to apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

As a result, niosomal formulations containing paclitaxel can be used as a new drug delivery system to increase cytotoxicity and treatment of breast cancer in the upcoming future.

Co-Delivery of Letrozole and Cyclophosphamide via Folic Acid-Decorated Nanoniosomes for Breast Cancer Therapy: Synergic Effect, Augmentation of Cytotoxicity, and Apoptosis Gene Expression

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent causes of cancer mortality in women. In order to increase patient prognosis and survival rates, new technologies are urgently required to deliver therapeutics in a more effective and efficient manner. Niosome nanoparticles have been recently employed as therapeutic platforms capable of loading and carrying drugs within their core for both mono and combination therapy. Here, niosome-based nanoscale carriers were investigated as a targeted delivery system for breast cancer therapy. The platform developed consists of niosomes loaded with letrozole and cyclophosphamide (NLC) and surface-functionalized with a folic-acid-targeting moiety (NLCPFA). Drug release from the formulated particles exhibited pH-sensitive properties in which the niosome showed low and high release in physiological and cancerous conditions, respectively. The results revealed a synergic effect in cytotoxicity by co-loading letrozole and cyclophosphamide with an efficacy increment in NLCPFA use in comparison with NLC. The NLCPFA resulted in the greatest drug internalization compared to the non-targeted formulation and the free drug. Additionally, downregulation of cyclin-D, cyclin-E, MMP-2, and MMP-9 and upregulating the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 genes were observed more prominently in the nanoformulation (particularly for NLCPFA) compared to the free drug. This exciting data indicated that niosome-based nanocarriers containing letrozole and cyclophosphamide with controlled release could be a promising platform for drug delivery with potential in breast cancer therapy.

Lipid-Based Nanovesicular Drug Delivery Systems

In designing a new drug, considering the preferred route of administration, various requirements must be fulfilled. Active molecules pharmacokinetics should be reliable with a valuable drug profile as well as well-tolerated. Over the past 20 years, nanotechnologies have provided alternative and complementary solutions to those of an exclusively pharmaceutical chemical nature since scientists and clinicians invested in the optimization of materials and methods capable of regulating effective drug delivery at the nanometer scale. Among the many drug delivery carriers, lipid nano vesicular ones successfully support clinical candidates approaching such problems as insolubility, biodegradation, and difficulty in overcoming the skin and biological barriers such as the blood-brain one. In this review, the authors discussed the structure, the biochemical composition, and the drug delivery applications of lipid nanovesicular carriers, namely, niosomes, proniosomes, ethosomes, transferosomes, pharmacosomes, ufasomes, phytosomes, catanionic vesicles, and extracellular vesicles.

Olmesartan niosomes ameliorates the Indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats: Insights on MAPK and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway

AIMS

Gastric ulcer is a continuous worldwide threat that inquires protective agents. Olmesartan (OLM) has potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory characters, yet having limited bioavailability. We targeted the gastro-protective potential and probable mechanism of OLM and its niosomal form against indomethacin (IND) induced-gastric ulcer in rats.

MAIN METHODS

we prepared OLM niosomes (OLM-NIO) with different surfactant: cholesterol molar ratios. We evaluated particle size, zeta-potential, polydispersity, and entrapment efficiency. In-vitro release study, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and transmission electron microscopy were performed for selected niosomes. In-vivo, we used oral Omeprazole (30 mg/kg), OLM or OLM-NIO (10 mg/kg) for 3 days before IND (25 mg/kg) ingestion. We assessed gastric lesions, oxidative and inflammatory markers.

KEY FINDINGS

OLM-NIO prepared with span 60:cholesterol ratio (1:1) showed high entrapment efficiency 93 ± 2%, small particle size 159.3 ± 6.8 nm, low polydispersity 0.229 ± 0.009, and high zeta-potential -35.3 ± 1.2 mV, with sustained release mechanism by release data. In-vivo macroscopical and histological results showed gastro-protective effects of OLM pretreatment, which improved oxidative stress parameters and enhanced the gastric mucosal cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) contents. OLM pretreatment suppressed interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) contents and translocation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK). Besides, OLM substantially promoted the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protective pathway. OLM-NIO furtherly improved all previous outcomes.

SIGNIFICANCE

We explored OLM anti-ulcerative effects, implicating oxidative stress and inflammation improvement, mediated by the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and p38-MAPK translocation. Meanwhile, the more bioavailable OLM-NIO achieved better gastro-protective effects compared to conventional OLM form.

Development, characterization and in vitro-in vivo evaluation of Farnesol loaded niosomal gel for applications in oral candidiasis treatment

Objectives

The aim of the study was to formulate and characterize the farnesol loaded niosomes comprising gel formulation and perform their in vitro–in vivo evaluation for applications in the treatment of oral candidiasis infections.

Methods

Various gelling systems were evaluated for their rheological and stability properties. The formulation was statistically optimized using experimental design method (Box-Behnken). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to observe the niosomal surface morphology. Centrifugation method and dialysis method were used to find out the % entrapment efficiency (%EE) and in-vitro release of Farnesol, respectively. In-vitro antifungal effect and cell biocompatibility of the Farnesol loaded niosomal gel was also performed using Candida albicans (C. albicans) as the model organism and epithelial cell line (SW480) by MTT cytotoxicity assay. In-vivo skin irritation test was performed on rabbit skin.

Key findings

Farnesol loaded niosomes were integrated into polymeric gel solution. The optimized formulation demonstrated acceptable % EE (>80%) and an optimum particle size (168.8 nm) along with a sustained release and a long-term storage stability for up to a period of 6 months. TEM and AFM observations displayed a spherical niosome morphology. Farnesol niosomal gel showed a higher antifungal efficacy, ex-vivo skin permeation and deposition in comparison to plain farnesol solution. The niosomal gel also showed negligible cytotoxicity to normal cells citing biocompatibility and was found to be non-toxic and non-irritant to rabbit skin.

Conclusions

This novel niosome loaded gel-based formulation could make the oral candidiasis healing process more efficient while improving patient compliance. With the optimized methodology used in this work, such formulation approaches can become an efficient, industrially scalable, and cost-effective alternatives to the existing conventional formulations.

Design, development and in-vitro/in-vivo evaluation of intranasally delivered Rivastigmine and N-Acetyl Cysteine loaded bifunctional niosomes for applications in combinative treatment of Alzheimer's disease

The present investigation explores the potential of novel dual drug-loaded niosomes for nasal delivery of Rivastigmine (RIV) and N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) to the brain. The dual niosomes showed a particle size of 162.4 nm and % entrapment efficiencies of 97.7% for RIV and 85.9% for NAC. The niosomes were statistically validated using Box-Behnken experimental design (BBD) with good significance. Ultrastructural and chemical characterization of the niosomes using various analytical techniques like Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showcased drug-excipient compatibility and robust stability of 6 months in a liquid state at 4-8 °C. The dual drug-loaded niosomes showed a sustained drug release pattern up to 2 days. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl) enzyme inhibition assays showed a better combinative effect than the free drug solutions. A 2-day nasal permeation proved the effectiveness and biocompatibility of the niosomes. In-vivo pharmacokinetic and organ biodistribution studies revealed a better drug profile and greater distribution of the niosomes in the brain compared to other organs, thereby indicating a direct nose-to-brain delivery of the niosomes.

Co-encapsulation of gemcitabine and tocotrienols in nanovesicles enhanced efficacy in pancreatic cancer

Aim: To synthesize niosomes co-encapsulating gemcitabine (GEM) and tocotrienols, and physicochemically characterize and evaluate the antipancreatic effects of the nanoformulation on Panc 10.05, SW 1990, AsPC-1 and BxPC-3 cells. Materials & methods: Niosomes-entrapping GEM and tocotrienols composed of Span 60, cholesterol and D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate were produced by Handjani-Vila and film hydration methods. Results: The film hydration produced vesicles measuring 161.9 ± 0.5 nm, approximately 50% smaller in size than Handjani-Vila method, with maximum entrapment efficiencies of 20.07 ± 0.22% for GEM and 34.52 ± 0.10% for tocotrienols. In Panc 10.05 cells, GEM's antiproliferative effect was enhanced 2.78-fold in combination with tocotrienols. Niosomes produced a significant ninefold enhancement in cytotoxicity of the combination, supported by significantly higher cellular uptake of GEM in the cells. Conclusion: This study is a proof of concept on the synthesis of dual-drug niosomes and their efficacy on pancreatic cancer cells in vitro.

Exosome vesicle as a nano-therapeutic carrier for breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common lethal diseases found in women; in which shortcomings of currently used treatment procedures and efficiency to target disease contribute to the increment in mortality. Despite other factors, exosomes, a major class of EVs (extracellular vesicles) also play a regulatory role in normal physiological processes and have a major function in proliferation, metastases, and resistance in BC. Interestingly, despite their role in the progression of BC, exosomes also showed their importance as a drug carrier in the targeted drug delivery. The present review aims to shed light on the role of exosomes as a potential nano-therapeutic vehicle in the targeted drug delivery for BC. Information for this review was searched from PubMed and Google Scholar mostly during the year 2019-2020 by using appropriate keywords. The exosomes have been efficiently used in cancer therapeutics where these nano vehicles having specific markers help in efficient targeted delivery of therapeutics including proteins, nucleic acid, and anti-cancer drugs to BC cells. The properties of exosomes as an efficient delivery system can be explored in the future and holds the potential to be used in other forms of cancer as well.

Targeted drug-delivery systems in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: recent advancement and clinical status

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease that is characterized by synovial inflammation, cellular infiltration in joints which leads to progressive joint destruction and bone erosion. RA is associated with many comorbidities including pulmonary disease, rheumatoid nodules and can have a pessimistic impact on quality of life. The current therapies of RA treatment comprise conventional, small molecule and biological antirheumatic drugs. Their utility as therapeutic agents is limited because of poor absorption, rapid metabolism and adverse effects (dose-escalation, systemic toxicity, lack of selectivity and safety). To overcome these limitations, the novel drug delivery systems are being investigated. This review has compiled currently approved therapies along with emerging advanced drug-delivery systems for RA treatment. Further, active targeting of therapeutic agents to inflamed joints via folate receptor, CD44, angiogenesis, integrins and other provided an improved therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of RA.

Quercetin Loaded Monolaurate Sugar Esters-Based Niosomes: Sustained Release and Mutual Antioxidant-Hepatoprotective Interplay

Flavonoids possess different interesting biological properties, including antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. However, unfortunately, these molecules present different bottlenecks, such as low aqueous solubility, photo and oxidative degradability, high first-pass effect, poor intestinal absorption and, hence, low systemic bioavailability. A variety of delivery systems have been developed to circumvent these drawbacks, and among them, in this work niosomes have been selected to encapsulate the hepatoprotective natural flavonoid quercetin. The aim of this study was to prepare nanosized quercetin-loaded niosomes, formulated with different monolaurate sugar esters (i.e., sorbitan C12; glucose C12; trehalose C12; sucrose C12) that act as non-ionic surfactants and with cholesterol as stabilizer (1:1 and 2:1 ratio). Niosomes were characterized under the physicochemical, thermal and morphological points of view. Moreover, after the analyses of the in vitro biocompatibility and the drug-release profile, the hepatoprotective activity of the selected niosomes was evaluated in vivo, using the carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Furthermore, the levels of glutathione and glutathione peroxidase (GSH and GPX) were measured. Based on results, the best formulation selected was glucose laurate/cholesterol at molar ratio of 1:1, presenting spherical shape and a particle size (PS) of 161 ± 4.6 nm, with a drug encapsulation efficiency (EE%) as high as 83.6 ± 3.7% and sustained quercetin release. These niosomes showed higher hepatoprotective effect compared to free quercetin in vivo, measuring serum biomarker enzymes (i.e., alanine and aspartate transaminases (ALT and AST)) and serum biochemical parameters (i.e., alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total proteins), while following the histopathological investigation. This study confirms the ability of quercetin loaded niosomes to reverse CCl₄ intoxication and to carry out an antioxidant effect.