Provesicles as novel drug delivery systems

Vesicular systems exhibit many attractive properties such as controlled drug release, ability to carry both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, targetability and good biocompatibility. With these unique properties they can provide improved drug bioavailability and reduced side effects. Until now, many vesicular formulations have been studied in clinical and preclinical stages. Nevertheless, the major concern about these systems is their low physicochemical stability and high manufacturing expenses. The stability problems (fusion, aggregation, sedimentation, swelling, and drug leakage during storage) associated with the aqueous nature of vesicular systems hinders their effective usage. The advances on improving the stability of vesicular systems led to the emergence of provesicular systems, which are commonly described as dry, free flowing preformulations of vesicular drug delivery systems. Provesicles form vesicular systems upon hydratation with water and exhibit the advantages of vesicular systems with improved stability. The present article briefly reviews vesicular systems (particularly liposomes and niosomes) and enlightens about the innovations in the field. Overall investigations are reviewed and the provesicle approach is explained by giving detailed information on the composition, preparation, administration and characterization methods of provesicular systems (proliposomes and proniosomes). The scope of this article is expected to give insight to the researchers and industrialists to perform further research in this area.