Gitanjali Shivaji Bhatjire

Liposome proved themselves as a promising novel delivery vehicle of drugs to the skin, is a topic of considerable current interest. Liposomes are acceptable and superior carriers having ability to encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs and protect them from degradation. Liposomes are result of self-assembly of phospholipid in an aqueous media resulting in closed bilayer structures. Liposomes are one of unique drug delivery system which can be used in controlling and targeting drug delivery system. Liposomes are generally classified based upon structure, method of preparation, composition and application, conventional liposome, and specialty liposome. Different marketed formulations are available in market for liposomes. The liposomes have many applications which increase its importance over other formulations. The entrapped compound’s solubility and partitioning characteristics will determine its location in the liposomal bilayer .It also has affinity to keratin of horny layer of skin and can penetrate deeper into skin hence give better absorption. But they may also have the property into the skin, carrying actives to the target site, where these molecules will be released. Reformulation of drugs in liposomes has provided an opportunity to enhance the therapeutic indices of various agents. This review discusses the potential advantages in topical drug delivery, basic structure characteristics and mechanism of action of liposomes and evaluation parameter for liposome formulation.