Lankalapalli Srinivas

By Srinivas Lankalapalli and V.S. Vinai Kumar Tenneti

Several efforts have been focused on targeted drug delivery systems for delivering a drug to a particular region of the body for better control of systemic as well as local action. Liposomes have proven their efficiency as a choice of carrier for targeting the drugs to the site of action. The main reason for continuous research on liposomes drug delivery is they largely attributed to the fact that they can mimic biological cells. This also means that liposomes are highly biocompatible, making them an ideal candidate for a drug delivery system. The uses found for liposomes have been wide-spread and even include drug delivery systems for cosmetics. Several reports have shown the applicability of liposomal drug delivery systems for their safe and effective administration of different classes of drugs like anti tubercular, anti cancer, antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial, antisense, lung therapeutics, skin care, vaccines and gene therapy. Liposomes are proven to be effective in active or passive targeting. Modification of the bilayer further found to increase the circulation time, improve elasticity, Trigger sensitive release such as pH, ultrasound, heat or light with appropriate lipid compositions. The present chapter focuses on the fundamental aspects of liposomes, their structural components, preparation, characterization and applications.

Part of the book: Smart Drug Delivery