Niosomes: A Novel Drug Delivery System
Project Report
Submitted in Partial fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree of
Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharmacy)
Practice School (BP 706PS)
Submitted by
SUMMI SULTANA
(Enrollment No. 21FPSUCHPN01054)
Under the Supervision of
Dr. KIRAN YADAV
(Associate Professor)
FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES (FPS)
THE ICFAI UNIVERSITY, HIMACHAL PRADESH (IUHP)
January, 2025
THE ICFAI UNIVERSITY, HIMACHAL PRADESH (IUHP)
DECLARATION
I, Summi Sultana, declare that this project report entitled, “Niosomes : A Novel Drug
Delivery System.” and the work presented in it, are my own. I confirm that:
This work was done wholly or mainly while in candidature for a Bachelor Degree at this
institute.
The content of this report is entirely original and has not been submitted for any other
academic evaluation or published elsewhere.
Where I have consulted the published work of others, this is always clearly attributed.
Where I have quoted from the work of others, the source is always given.
I have acknowledged all main sources of help.
Where the report is based on work done by myself, jointly with others, I have made clear
exactly what was done by others and what I have contributed myself.
Date: 31/01/2025 Summi Sultana
Enrollment No - 21FPSUCHPN01054
I
THE ICFAI UNIVERSITY, HIMACHAL PRADESH(IUHP)
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the project report entitled “Niosomes: A Novel Drug Delivery System”
being submitted by Summi Sultana (Enrolment No.: 21FPSUCHPN01054) is a bonafide work
carried out under my supervision and guidance in fulfilment of the requirement for the award
of the degree of Bachelor of Pharmacy in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The ICFAI
University, Himachal Pradesh (IUHP). The matter embodied in this project report is original
and has not been submitted to any other Institute or University for the award of any other
degree.
Place: IUHP, Baddi. Dr. Kiran Yadav
Date: 31/01/2025 ( Associate Professor)
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
II
Acknowledgement
I would like to express my deep sense of gratitude to my guide Dr. Kiran Yadav , Associate
Professor in Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ICFAI University,
Baddi for her exemplary guidance, monitoring and constant encouragement throughout the
course of this thesis. Her deep insight into science and constant generation of new ideas helped
me tremendously in my work. Her unflinching courage and conviction will always inspire me.
I also wish to address my warm thanks to the Principal of Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Dr. Shweta Aggarwal , Professor of Pharmaceutics for her relentless support during my
research tenure. I am privileged to have studied and worked in this distinguished
Pharmaceutical Science Department. I am grateful to the college administration and I also
thank Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Sir, Registrar Sir, Faculty members, Technical Staff and other
staff members for providing me with such a significant chance. I have realized that real
friendship is not just holding hands but holding hands till the very end. I would like to
specially acknowledge my friend Bhumika , who taught me to strive for the best in life and I
wish to avail myself of this opportunity to express a sense of gratitude to my labmates for
supporting me in difficult situations and providing a helping hand. Last, but not least, I would
like to give my regards and express my indebtedness to my dear and beloved parents for their
infinite love, encouragement and patience. Words fail to express how grateful I am for your
love and support. My Parents have always been a supporting figure and role model for me and
I am proud to have parents like them who have made each step of my life easier. Without you
all I would not be able to accomplish my thesis work. Besides this, I would like to express my
deepest appreciation and gratitude to all the people for their timely help and support when
needed.
Date: 31/01/2025 Summi Sultana
Enrollment No-21FPSUCHPN01054
III
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION I
CERTIFICATE II
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT III
TABLE OF CONTENTS IV
ABBREVIATIONS V
LIST OF FIGURES VI
LIST OF TABLES VII
Chapter Page
Description
name No.
Chapter 1 Introduction 1
Chapter 2 Literature review 2
Chapter 3 Classification of niosomes 3
Chapter 4 Types of niosomes 4-6
Chapter 5 Components of niosomes 7-10
Chapter 6 Preparation methods of niosomes 11-12
Chapter 7 Formation of niosomes from proniosomes 13
Chapter 8 Factors influencing the preparation of niosomes 14
Chapter 9 Characterization of niosomes 15-16
Chapter 10 Niosomes as drug carriers 17
Chapter 11 Applications of niosomes 18-19
Chapter 12 Advances in niosomal delivery 20
Chapter 13 Conclusion 21
References 22
IV
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
1. SUV – Small Unilamellar Vesicle
2. MLV – Multilamellar Vesicle
3. LUV – Large Unilamellar Vesicle
4. DCP – Diacetyl Phosphate
5. STR – Stearyl amine
6. VIP – Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide
7. NMR – Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy
8. CT – Computed Tomography
9. DMSA – Dimercapto succinic acid
10. DSC. – Differential Scanning Calorimetry
11. I.V. – Intravenous
12. NSAIDS – Non-steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs
V
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure.
Description Page No.
No.
1.1 Structure of Niosome. 1
3.1 Classification of Niosomes. 3
6.1 Common stages of all methods of preparation of Niosomes. 12
7.1 Formation of noisomes from proniosomes. 13
8.1 Factors affecting preparation of Niosomes. 14
VI
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
Description
No. No.
5.1. The materials used in niosome preparation. 9
7.1 Routes of administration with examples. 13
9.1 Evaluation parameters and methods. 16
VII
INTRODUCTION
Niosomes are a novel drug delivery system, entrapped the hydrophilic drug in the core cavity
and hydrophobic drugs in non-polar region present within bilayer. Hence, both drugs can be
introduced into niosomes[1]. These are drug carriers that have a bilayer structure and formed
by self-association of non-ionic surfactants and cholesterol in aqueous phase. These are
amphiphillic in nature and are very small and microscopic in size ranges from 10nm-100nm. In
1975, first niosome was patented and developed by L’Oreal. Similar to liposomes, these are
multilamellar vesicles of non-ionic surfactants. In addition, these have been used to address the
issues of drug instability, insolubility and rapid disintegration[2]. These can be administered
through oral, parenteral and topical as well. Different types of drugs such as synthetic and
herbal, antigens, hormones and other bioactive compounds can be delivered through niosomes,
used as a carrier[3]. These are biodegradable, biocompatible, and immunogenic, have long
shelf life, high stability and delivery of drug at targeted site. To enhance the performance of
niosomes for drug delivery, it can be varied by composition, size, no. of lamellae and surface
charge[4].
Figure 1.1: Structure of Niosome
