HERBAL NIOSOMES IN DRUG DELIVERY: RECENT INNOVATIONS, CHALLENGES AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

Herbal medicines have gained global attention due to their therapeutic efficacy and lower toxicity; however, their clinical application remains limited by poor solubility, instability, and low bioavailability. Niosomes are self-assembled vesicular systems composed of non-ionic surfactants and cholesterol which offer a promising approach to overcome these limitations. Herbal niosomes enhance solubility, stability, and permeability of phytoconstituents while enabling controlled and targeted drug release. These vesicles encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds, making them suitable for diverse herbal drugs. The incorporation of phytoconstituents into niosomes has shown improved therapeutic outcomes in anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant applications. Preparation methods such as thin-film hydration, reverse-phase evaporation, sonication, and microfluidization allow tailored vesicle size, entrapment efficiency, and release kinetics. Recent innovations include surface-modified, stimuli-responsive, PEGylated, and hybrid niosomes, which further enhance targeted delivery and prolong circulation time. Despite their advantages, challenges such as physical instability, leakage, sterilization difficulties, and scalability issues persist. Toxicity related to surfactant components also requires further investigation. Nonetheless, with advancements in nanoengineering and biocompatible surfactants, herbal niosomes represent a powerful platform for modern phytopharmaceutical development. This review summarizes the principles, preparation techniques, therapeutic applications, innovations, limitations, and future perspectives of herbal niosomal drug delivery systems, highlighting their expanding potential in evidence-based herbal therapy.

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