Author(s):
Lingesh Kumar MS, Oyitabu Ifunanya Mercy, Nayana DN1, Shreya K, J Baseer UL Sumeer, Vemula Kusum Devi, Vijaya G Joshi, CSR Lakshmi, Rama Bukka, Rama Nargund, Shravan L Nargund, Shachindra L. Nargund, Malviya Nidhi
Email(s):
nidhi.malviya7@gmail.com
DOI:
10.52711/2231-5713.2026.00008
Address:
Lingesh Kumar MS1, Oyitabu Ifunanya Mercy1, Nayana DN1, Shreya K1, J Baseer UL Sumeer1, Vemula Kusum Devi2, Vijaya G Joshi3, CSR Lakshmi1, Rama Bukka1, Rama Nargund5, Shravan L Nargund1, Shachindra L. Nargund4, Malviya Nidhi1
1Department of Pharmaceutics, Nargund College of Pharmacy, Bangalore - 85, Karnataka, India.
2Department of Pharmaceutics, NITTE College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bangalore – 64, India.
3Department of Pharmaceutics, Government College of Pharmacy, Bangalore - 27, Karnataka, India.
4Department of Pharmachemistry, Nargund College of Pharmacy, Bangalore - 85, Karnataka, India.
5Department of Pharmacology, Nargund College of Pharmacy, Bangalore - 85, Karnataka, India.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 16,
Issue - 1,
Year - 2026
ABSTRACT:
Niosomes were introduced as an alternative to traditional colloidal drug carriers such as emulsions, liposomes, and polymer-based systems. Niosomes offer enhanced stability, biocompatibility, and controlled drug release while overcoming limitations of conventional carriers. Niosomes are vesicular drug carriers composed of non-ionic surfactants, providing targeted and sustained drug release. The article explores strategies to minimize adverse effects using optimized manufacturing methods like thin-film hydration, reverse phase evaporation, and microfluidization. Advanced analytical techniques like electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and nuclear magnetic resonance are employed to characterize niosomes. This study evaluates niosome production techniques, drug loading efficiency, encapsulation ability, and controlled release properties, with a particular focus on drug delivery mechanisms. Topical niosomal gels are developed to enhance drug permeation, stability, and therapeutic efficacy. While conventional gels suffer from poor skin permeability, potential allergic reactions, and limited plasma drug concentration, niosomes improve drug retention, prevent enzymatic degradation, and develop penetration of larger molecules. This study highlights the possibility of niosomes as a potential drug delivery system for topical and systemic applications
Cite this article:
Lingesh Kumar MS, Oyitabu Ifunanya Mercy, Nayana DN1, Shreya K, J Baseer UL Sumeer, Vemula Kusum Devi, Vijaya G Joshi, CSR Lakshmi, Rama Bukka, Rama Nargund, Shravan L Nargund, Shachindra L. Nargund, Malviya Nidhi. Niosome: A Comprehensive Review of Development, Characterization and Applications. Asian Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2026; 16(1):45-1. doi: 10.52711/2231-5713.2026.00008
Cite(Electronic):
Lingesh Kumar MS, Oyitabu Ifunanya Mercy, Nayana DN1, Shreya K, J Baseer UL Sumeer, Vemula Kusum Devi, Vijaya G Joshi, CSR Lakshmi, Rama Bukka, Rama Nargund, Shravan L Nargund, Shachindra L. Nargund, Malviya Nidhi. Niosome: A Comprehensive Review of Development, Characterization and Applications. Asian Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2026; 16(1):45-1. doi: 10.52711/2231-5713.2026.00008 Available on: https://ajptonline.com/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-16-1-8
REFERENCES:
1. B. Niyaz Basha. Formulation and evaluation of Gel containing Fluconazole-Antifungal Agent. Int J Drug Dev & Res. 3(4):109–128.
2. Zaid Alkilani A, Hamed R, Abdo H, et al. Formulation and Evaluation of Azithromycin-Loaded Niosomal Gel: Optimization, In Vitro Studies, Rheological Characterization, and Cytotoxicity Study. ACS Omega. 2022; 7(44): 39782–39793; doi: 10.1021/acsomega.2c03762.
3. Khanderao Rajaram Jadhav. Formulation and Evaluation of Nanosponge Based Topical Gel Preparation of Fluconazole. IJPPR. 19(3):597-616.
4. Ag Seleci D, Maurer V, Stahl F, et al. Rapid Microfluidic Preparation of Niosomes for Targeted Drug Delivery. IJMS. 2019; 20(19): 4696 doi: 10.3390/ijms20194696.
5. Shirsand S, Kanani K, Keerthy D, et al. Formulation and evaluation of Ketoconazole niosomal gel drug delivery system. Int J Pharma Investig. 2012; 2(4): 201 doi: 10.4103/2230-973X.107002.
6. Sravan G, Latha K, Padmavathi R, et al. Formulation and Evaluation of Topical Gel Loaded with Fluconazole Niosomes. JPRI. 2022; 42–61 doi: 10.9734/jpri/2022/v34i34A36147.
7. Aparajay P, Dev A. Development and Evaluation of Eberconazole-Loaded Niosomes. In: ECSOC-25 MDPI. 2021; 28; doi: 10.3390/ecsoc-25-11664.
8. Shirsand SB, Kumar GR, Keshavshetti GG, et al. Formulation and Evaluation of Clotrimazole Niosomal Gel for Topical Application. RGUHS J Pharm Sci. 2015; 5(1): 32–38; doi: 10.5530/rjps.2015.1.4.
9. Bayan MF, Chandrasekaran B, Alyami MH. Development and Characterization of Econazole Topical Gel. Gels. 2023; 9(12): 929; doi: 10.3390/gels9120929.
10. Mishra S, Gupta RA. Formulation and Evaluation of Niosomal Gel of Antifungal Luliconazole. J Drug Delivery Ther. 2022; 12(6-S):47–54; doi: 10.22270/jddt.v12i6-S.5705.
11. Thabet Y, Elsabahy M, Eissa NG. Methods for preparation of niosomes: A focus on thin-film hydration method. Methods. 2022; 199: 9–15; doi: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2021.05.004.
12. Palak P, Rani R, Kumar R, et al. Formulation and Evaluation of Niosomal gel using Tretinoin and Clindamycin combination. J Drug Delivery Ther. 2024; 14(3): 106–114; doi: 10.22270/jddt.v14i3.6477.
13. Abdel Salam L, Abdelmottaleb M, Geneidi A. Formulation and Characterization of Proniosomal Gels loaded with Levofloxacin for dermal drug Delivery. Archives of Pharmaceutical Sciences Ain Shams University. 2021; 5(2): 288–303; doi: 10.21608/aps.2021.109363.1077.
14. Aldawsari MF, Khafagy E-S, Moglad EH, et al. Formulation optimization, in vitro and in vivo evaluation of niosomal nanocarriers for enhanced topical delivery of cetirizine. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal. 2023; 31(9): 101734; doi: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.101734.
15. Patel KK, Kumar P, Thakkar HP. Formulation of Niosomal gel for Enhanced Transdermal Lopinavir Delivery and Its Comparative Evaluation with Ethosomal Gel. AAPS PharmSciTech. 2012; 13(4): 1502–1510; doi: 10.1208/s12249-012-9871-7.
16. Mawazi SM, Ge Y, Widodo RT. Niosome Preparation Techniques and Structure—An Illustrated Review. Pharmaceutics. 2025; 17(1): 67; doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics17010067.
17. Garg AK, Maddiboyina B, Alqarni MHS, et al. Solubility enhancement, formulation development and antifungal activity of luliconazole niosomal gel-based system. Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer. 2021; 32(8): 1009–1023; doi: 10.1080/09205063.2021.1892471.
18. Ning M, Guo Y, Pan H, et al. Preparation, in Vitro and in Vivo Evaluation of Liposomal/ Niosomal Gel Delivery Systems for Clotrimazole. Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy. 2005; 31(4–5): 375–383; doi: 10.1081/DDC-54315.
19. Saeidi Z, Giti R, Emami A, et al. Thermosensitive and mucoadhesive gels containing solid lipid nanoparticles loaded with fluconazole and niosomes loaded with clindamycin for the treatment of periodontal diseases: a laboratory experiment. BMC Oral Health. 2024; 24(1): 551; doi: 10.1186/s12903-024-04322-6.
20. Karim K, Mandal A, Biswas N, et al. Niosome: A future of targeted drug delivery systems. J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2010; 1(4): 374; doi: 10.4103/0110-5558.76435.
21. Durak S, Esmaeili Rad M, Alp Yetisgin A, et al. Niosomal Drug Delivery Systems for Ocular Disease—Recent Advances and Future Prospects. Nanomaterials. 2020; 10(6): 1191; doi: 10.3390/nano10061191.
22. Morteza-Semnani K, Saeedi M, Akbari J, et al. Green formulation, characterization, antifungal and biological safety evaluation of terbinafine HCl niosomes and niosomal gels manufactured by eco-friendly green method. Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer. 2022; 33(18): 2325–2352; doi: 10.1080/09205063.2022.2103626.
23. Uthaiwat P, Priprem A, Puthongking P, et al. Characteristic Evaluation of Gel Formulation Containing Niosomes of Melatonin or Its Derivative and Mucoadhesive Properties Using ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy. Polymers. 2021; 13(7): 1142; doi: 10.3390/polym13071142.
24. Soliman OAE-A, Mohamed EA, Khatera NAA. Enhanced ocular bioavailability of fluconazole from niosomal gels and microemulsions: formulation, optimization, and in vitro–in vivo evaluation. Pharmaceutical Development and Technology. 2019; 24(1): 48–62; doi: 10.1080/10837450.2017.1413658.
25. Sharma R. Formulation and Evaluation of Clindamycin phosphate Niosomes by using reverse phase evaporation Method. JDDT. 2019; 9(3-S):515–523; doi: 10.22270/jddt.v9i3-s.2895.
26. Teaima MH, El Mohamady AM, El-Nabarawi MA, et al. Formulation and evaluation of niosomal vesicles containing ondansetron HCL for trans-mucosal nasal drug delivery. Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy. 2020; 46(5): 751–761; doi: 10.1080/03639045.2020.1753061.
27. Sukanya Patil, Jaya Agnihotri. Formulation development, optimization, and characterization of anti-fungal topical biopolymeric film using a niosomal approach. Int J Sci Res Arch. 2023; 8(1): 194–209; doi: 10.30574/ijsra.2023.8.1.0031.
28. Shirsand S, Kanani K, Keerthy D, et al. Formulation and evaluation of Ketoconazole niosomal gel drug delivery system. Int J Pharma Investig. 2012; 2(4): 201; doi: 10.4103/2230-973X.107002.
29. Inayathulla, Goudanavar P, Acharya A. Development and Evaluation of In-situ gel containing Linezolid and Diclofenac Sodium in the treatment of Periodontitis. Asian Jour Pharm and Technol. 2020; 10(1): 20; doi: 10.5958/2231-5713.2020.00005.7.
30. Barot T, Rawtani D, Kulkarni P. Development, characterization and in vitro–in vivo evaluation of Farnesol loaded niosomal gel for applications in oral candidiasis treatment. Heliyon. 2021; 7(9): e07968; doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07968.
31. Jadon PS, Gajbhiye V, Jadon RS, et al. Enhanced Oral Bioavailability of Griseofulvin via Niosomes. AAPS PharmSciTech. 2009; 10(4):1186; doi: 10.1208/s12249-009-9325-z.
32. Shehata T, Kimura T, Higaki K, et al. In-vivo disposition characteristics of PEG niosome and its interaction with serum proteins. International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 2016; 512(1): 322–328; doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2016.08.058.
33. Fazli B, Irani S, Bardania H, et al. Prophylactic effect of topical (slow-release) and systemic curcumin nano-niosome antioxidant on oral cancer in rat. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2022; 22(1): 109; doi: 10.1186/s12906-022-03590-5.
34. Gopinath D, Ravi D, Karwa R, et al. Pharmacokinetics of zidovudine following intravenous bolus administration of a novel niosome preparation devoid of cholesterol. Arzneimittelforschung. 2001; 51(11): 924–930; doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1300139.
35. Barani M, Reza Hajinezhad M, Sargazi S, et al. Simulation, In Vitro, and In Vivo Cytotoxicity Assessments of Methotrexate-Loaded pH-Responsive Nanocarriers. Polymers (Basel). 2021; 13(18): 3153; doi: 10.3390/polym13183153.
36. Norma Alcantar Eva C. Williams Ryan Toomey. Niosome-Hydrogel Drug Delivery System. 2009.
37. Norma Alcantar Kristina Dearborn Michael Vanauker Ryan Toomey Elizabeth Hood. Niosome-Hydrogel Drug Delivery. 2008.
38. Kovalev Dmitrij Anatolevich Zhirov Andrej Mikhajlovich Pisarenko Sergej Vladimirovich Kulichenko Aleksandr Nikolaevich Shakhova Valeriya Nikolaevna. Method for Fractionation of Niosomes. 2021.
39. Shivani Gurjar, Farhan Mazahir, Awesh Kumar Yadav, Nidhi Srivastava, Ankita Sharma. Ferrostatin-1 Loaded Niosomes and Process Therof. 2023.