Recent Developments in Proniosomal Transdermal Drug Delivery: An Overview

Proniosomes are the stable carriers used for transdermal application as compared to other vesicular delivery systems like niosomes and liposomes. Oral administration of a drug is associated with severe GIT irritation and first-pass metabolism. The vesicular drug delivery system includes the basic concept of niosomes and proniosomes which describes their mechanism of action, structural formation, interactive study with skin, composition, and method of preparation. Gels contain a high aqueous component as compared to ointment and creams, due to which they can dissolve high concentrations of drugs, and thus help the drug to migrate easily through a vehicle, due to which, gels are considered to be superior in terms of use and patient compliance. This review will focus on the up-to-date research developments in the use of proniosomes, which are applicable to various diseases. Proniosomes are prepared mainly by different concentrations of nonionic surfactants, cholesterol, and lecithin by entrapping hydrophobic as well as hydrophilic drugs. In earlier studies, it was found that the non-ionic surfactants and phospholipids provided higher penetration and it has also been found that some phospholipids have the ability to fluidize the lipid bilayers of the stratum corneum and diffuse through it. In the future, proniosomes may gain more importance in the area of melanoma, brain targeting, protein and peptide drug delivery, gene delivery, hematological drug delivery, and also in cosmetics, and nutraceuticals.