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Updated: Dec 7, 2025

Cholesterol Efflux Assay
Published on: March 6, 2012
The Efficacy of Cholesterol-Based Carriers in Drug Delivery
Ngonidzashe Ruwizhi1, Blessing Atim Aderibigbe1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Fort Hare, Alice Campus, Eastern Cape 5700, South Africa.
Abstract:
Several researchers have reported the use of cholesterol-based carriers in drug delivery. The presence of cholesterol in cell membranes and its wide distribution in the body has led to it being used in preparing carriers for the delivery of a variety of therapeutic agents such as anticancer, antimalarials and antivirals. These cholesterol-based carriers were designed as micelles, nanoparticles, copolymers, liposomes, etc. and their routes of administration include oral, intravenous and transdermal. The biocompatibility, good bioavailability and biological activity of cholesterol-based carriers make them potent prodrugs. Several in vitro and in vivo studies revealed cholesterol-based carriers potentials in delivering bioactive agents. In this manuscript, a critical review of the efficacy of cholesterol-based carriers is reported.
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