Niosomes as cutting edge nanocarrier for controlled and targeted delivery of essential oils and biomolecules

Nanocarrier-based drug delivery has had significant leaps over the past few decades. Recently, research on niosomes has attracted considerable attention due to their myriad applications such as high entrapment efficiency, ability to perform dual drug delivery, and being subjected to myriad routes of drug administrations. Historically, essential oils have been known to have antioxidant, antiviral, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and anti-acne properties while biomolecules have similar properties along with their enhanced lipophilic nature, low permeability, and high solubility, which allows them to be used for the prevention and treatment of a variety of diseases. However, essential oils and biomolecules have low stability biocompatibility and cannot be used for direct topical administration due to their high concentrations which further cause localized inflammation. While significant research has been carried out in encapsulating drugs in niosomes, a considerable portion of research has been dedicated to loading essential oils and biomolecules such as gallic acid in the nanocarrier for various cosmeceuticals and pharmaceutical applications. In this review, special emphasis has been given to the use of niosomes as a nanocarrier for loading essential oils and biomolecules. Their potential applications in cosmeceuticals and pharmaceuticals have also been discussed.