Controlled self-assembly of non-ionic surfactant based vesicles in drug delivery

Nonionic surfactant vesicles especially, niosomes and proniosomes have generated a great deal of interest as industrial manufacturing process for the delivery of bioactive molecules since they can be used as sensitive containers that respond to external stimuli, such as pressure, pH, temperature, or concentration changes in the medium. Niosomes are vesicular systems prepared from self-assembly of hydrated non-ionic surfactants and cholesterol. This chapter depicts a comprehensive emphasis on the chemical structure, preparation methods, rheological and colloidal properties and characterization of NSVs. Furthermore, stability, toxicity and safety assessment are represented in a brief outline in this chapter. In addition, we have focused on their application in different field of delivery such as oral, ocular, pulmonary, transdermal, cancer and protein and biological. Lastly we have addressed the future scope of modified NSVs including patents.