Niosomes As Multifunctional Nanocarriers: From Regulated Drug Release to Stimuli-Responsive and Hybrid Therapeutic Systems Publisher



Khodaverdi K ; Naghib S M ; Takdehghan G ; Sharifianjazi F
Source: BioNanoScience Published:2026

Abstract

Niosomes are nonionic surfactant based vesicular nanocarriers that have gained substantial attention for drug delivery because of their structural flexibility, ability to encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic substances and potential to increase therapeutic effectiveness. This review presents a detailed update of the physicochemical properties of niosomal systems with emphasis on their composition, production techniques, drug loading capacity and release mechanisms. Conventional and novel manufacturing techniques such as thin-film hydration, ethanol injection, sonication, reverse-phase evaporation, and microfluidic approaches are explored, along with their impact on vesicle size, lamellarity, stability, and encapsulation efficiency. Recent improvements in niosomal engineering, including as ligand conjugation, PEGylation and stimuli sensitive design, have broadened their potential for regulated, site-specific and environmentally triggered drug administration. Also highlighted is the incorporation of polymers, metal nanoparticles, and other functional components in the hybrid niosomal platforms for their potential in multifunctional and theranostic applications. The paper also points out an increasing significance of artificial intelligence, machine learning and computational modelling in niosomal systems optimisation and rational design of formulations. The therapeutic applications in cancer, infectious diseases, neurological disorders, and vaccine delivery are summarised with the present obstacles in regard to pharmacokinetics, safety, repeatability, scale-up, and regulatory translation. Niosomal encapsulation improve the pharmacokinetic performance by lengthening half-life, raising AUC and reducing clearance as compared to free drug formulations.In conclusion, the present study emphasises niosomes as versatile nanocarriers with great potential for the next generation of drug delivery and describes the major challenges that need to be overcome for further clinical and commercial translation. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2026.