Lipoproteins: their potential as endogenous target oriented novel drug delivery system

Targeting of drugs to specific cellular sites is a major area of interest now a day. Various carrier systems, viz, liposomes, resealed erythrocytes, niosomes, immunomodulated nanospheres, etc. have been reported. A newer class of carrier system based on endogenous origin has been identified as lipoproteins. The present review discusses the classification, biological fate and targeting potentials of such system when the drug is encapsulated. Furthermore their is a brief discussion about the approaches utilised for their more specific targeting (acyloglycoprotein receptor etc.). Some of the observed drawbacks of such systems could be combated with the use of synthetically prepared lipoproteins named as SMBV (supramolecular biovectors) have also been discussed. Various biomedical potential of these lipoproteins in the delivery of drug to neoplastic cell lines, viral and parasitic infections in liver have also been highlighted.