Niosomes are formations of vesicles by hydrating mixture of cholesterol and nonionic
surfactants. Different novel approaches used for delivering these drugs include liposomes,
microspheres, nanotechnology, micro emulsions, antibody-loaded drug delivery, magnetic
microcapsules, implantable pumps and niosomes. Niosomes and liposomes are equiactive
in drug delivery potential and both increase drug efficacy as compared with that of free
drug. Niosomes are preferred over liposomes because the former exhibit high chemical
stability and economy. The application of vesicular (lipid vesicles and non-ionic surfactant
vesicles) systems in cosmetics and for therapeutic purpose may offer several advantages.
They improve the therapeutic performance of the drug molecules by delayed clearance
from the circulation, protecting the drug from biological environment and restricting
effects to target cells. This article focuses on the recent advances in niosomal drug delivery,
potential advantages over other delivery systems, formulation methods, methods of
characterization and the current research in the field of niosomes. Niosome appears to be a
well preferred drug delivery system over liposome as niosome being stable and economic.
Also niosomes have great drug delivery potential for targeted delivery of anti-cancer,
antiinfective agents. Drug delivery potential of niosome can enhance by using novel
concepts like proniosomes, discomes and aspasome. Niosomes also serve better aid in
diagnostic imaging and as a vaccine adjuvant. Thus these areas need further exploration
and research so as to bring out commercially available niosomal preparation.