Lipid-based nanovesicles for nanomedicine

Abstract

Molecular self-assembly has enabled the fabrication of biologically inspired, advanced nanostructures as lipid-based nanovesicles (L-NVs). The oldest L-NVs, liposomes, have been widely proposed as potential candidates for drug delivery, diagnostic and/or theranostic applications and some liposome-based drug products have already stepped from the lab-bench to the market. This success is attributed to their ability to encapsulate both hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic molecules, efficiently carry and protect them within the body and finally deliver them at the target site. These positive features are also coupled with high biocompatibility. However, liposomes still present some unsolved drawbacks, such as poor colloidal stability, short shelf-life, restricted and expensive conditions of preparation because of the inherent nature of their fundamental constituents (phospholipids). The new tools available in the self-assembly of controlled molecules have significantly advanced the field of L-NV design and synthesis, and non-liposomal L-NVs have been recently developed; this new generation of nanovesicles can represent a paradigm shift in nanomedicine: they may complement liposomes, showing their advantages and overcoming most of their drawbacks. Clearly, being still young, their rocky way to the clinic first and then to the market has just started and it is still long, but they have all the potentialities to reach their objective target. The purpose of this review is to first present the large plethora of L-NVs available, focusing on this new generation of non-liposomal L-NVs and showing their similarities and differences with respect to their ancestors (liposomes). Since the overspread of a nanomaterial to the market is also strongly dependent on the availability of technological-scale preparation methods, we will also extensively review the current approaches exploited for L-NV production. The most cutting-edge approaches based on compressed fluid (CF) technologies will be highlighted here since they show the potential to represent a game-change in the production of L-NVs, favouring their step from the bench to the market. Finally, we will briefly discuss L-NV applications in nanomedicine, looking also for their future perspectives.

Mucosal Vaccine Development Based on Liposome Technology

“…Classical liposomes are now also gradually being replaced by more advanced technologies with the new generation of lipid-based nanovesicles (L-NVs), which have more elaborate functions and less weaknesses. Niosomes, transfersomes, sphingosomes, and other nonliposomal lipid-based nanoparticles are excellently reviewed by Grimaldi et al [7]. For example, the virus-like particle (VLP) or virosome L-NV incorporates virus-derived or recombinant proteins that in this way are effectively delivered to the immune system [8].…”

Route and Type of Formulation Administered Influences the Absorption and Disposition of Vitamin B12 Levels in Serum

“…Interestingly, in a postprandial state, lipid–drug conjugates, and lipid-based nanoparticles have been widely studied for the delivery of lipophilic drugs via the lymphatic pathway; these are the frameworks advanced for the liposomal delivery of pharmaceutical [12] and non-pharmaceutical compounds [13], utilising functional biomaterials such as fatty acids to form a micelle. Nanotechonology that encapsulates the idea of manipulating matter at the nanometre range has also been limited by the availability of safety data [14] and drawbacks especially with regard to liposomes [15,16]. Notwithstanding though, nanoparticles such as polymeric micelles, liposomes, and conjugated nanoparticles have inspired the drug development industry [17].…”

Liposomes‐Camouflaged Redox‐Responsive Nanogels to Resolve the Dilemma between Extracellular Stability and Intracellular Drug Release

“…Over the past several decades, nanoparticles are one of the most studied functional materials for cancer therapy with the aim to improve drug solubility, protect the drugs from premature degradation, prolong their blood circulation time, enhance the drug accumulation at the targeted site, and facilitate drug intracellular penetration, thus achieving higher efficiency and lower toxicity . Among various nanocarriers, liposomes are widely considered to be one of the most successful and most promising formulations for efficient anticancer drug delivery, due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability, simplicity in preparation, and flexibility in functionalization . Moreover, a dozen of liposomal formulations, loading therapeutic agents such as doxorubicin (DOX), daunorubicin, or morphine, have been approved for clinical applications.…”