A REVIEW ON BILOSOMES: ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Bilosomes are bilayer vesicles that transport lipids incorporating non-ionic surfactants and bile salts. The current review was based on the properties, materials used in the preparation, various methods of formulation, characterization parameters and various pharmaceutical and clinical applications. They are spherical, uni-lamellar, and 5-200 nm-sized and vesicles with many membranes. Under normal conditions, bile acids exist as ionised bile salts after being synthesised in the liver and stored in the gall bladder. They have a steroid nucleus that is both hydrophilic. Materials used in bilosomes comprise of lipids, non-ionic surfactants and bile salts. Bilosomes are prepared by various methods including Reverse phase evaporation, Thin Film Hydration and Hot Homogenization. Bilosomes are characterized in terms of particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, ultracentrifugation, entrapment efficiency, in-vitro drug release and stability. Bilosomes have wide range of applications i.e., oral drug candidates, improved hypoglycaemic activity, oral immunization against tetanus, in ocular and transdermal drug delivery. For immunologists, the formulation of a reliable oral delivery mechanism for mucosal vaccines presents a considerable problem. In this regard, bilosomes and other lipid-based delivery methods have been investigated and developed for oral immunisation. Due to the tremendous potential of bilosomes, which include biocompatibility, stability, and specificity as carriers for targeted administration in immunisation. Currently, it is crucial for clinical researchers to use their knowledge of bilosomes for safe and effective trials in human patients and to identify the precise immunological mechanism triggered by bilosome oral administration.