Phospholipid-Based Drug Delivery Systems
Summary
Phospholipid-based carriers exploit the amphiphilic nature of glycerophospholipids to form self-assembled structures such as liposomes, phytosomes and related vesicles. These systems encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds within aqueous cores or lipid bilayers, offering protection against enzymatic degradation and enabling controlled release. By tuning lipid composition, acyl chain length and surface charge, researchers can tailor particle size, stability and membrane fluidity to optimise biodistribution and cellular uptake. Such carriers have been deployed for small-molecule drugs, peptides, nucleic acids and nutraceuticals, enhancing solubility, prolonging circulation time and reducing off-target effects. Advances in ligand decoration permit active targeting to diseased tissues, while stimuli-responsive formulations release cargo in response to pH, temperature or enzymatic cues. Phospholipid vehicles underpin clinically approved vaccines and cancer therapeutics and hold promise for oral, transdermal and inhalation routes. Their biocompatibility, biodegradability and ease of manufacture underscore global efforts to address unmet medical needs in oncology, infectious diseases and chronic inflammation.
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Phospholipid-Based Drug Delivery Systems publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in phospholipid-based drug delivery systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Phospholipid: Amphiphilic lipid molecule composed of glycerol, fatty acids and a phosphate-containing headgroup that self-assembles into bilayers.
Liposome: Spherical vesicle formed from one or more phospholipid bilayers enclosing an aqueous core.
Phytosome: Stable complex of a phytoactive compound and phospholipid, designed to enhance solubility and membrane permeability.
Entrapment efficiency: Proportion of the total drug or bioactive incorporated within the delivery vehicle relative to the initial amount used.
Bioavailability: Fraction of an administered dose that reaches systemic circulation in an active form.
Zeta potential: Electrostatic potential at the slipping plane of a colloidal particle, indicative of surface charge and colloidal stability.
Vesicle: Nanoscale lipid assembly capable of encapsulating therapeutic agents within its core or bilayer.
References
- Structure and morphology of vesicular dispersions based on novel phosphatidyl glucose and phosphatidyl choline with different acyl chains. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science (2024).
- Development of phospholipon®90H complex nanocarrier with enhanced oral bioavailability and anti-inflammatory potential of genistein. Drug Delivery (2023).
- Enhanced-release of phenolic-enriched grape seed antioxidants through innovative cholesterol doped phytosomes. Sustainable Materials and Technologies (2023).
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