What role do liposomes serve in drug delivery?

Liposomes are specialized vesicles that consist of lipid bilayers, which can encase both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. Their primary function in drug delivery is to enhance the delivery and bioavailability of active pharmaceutical ingredients. By encapsulating drugs within their structure, liposomes can help protect the active substances from degradation, improve solubility, and facilitate targeted delivery to specific tissues or cells. This targeting capability is particularly beneficial in cancer therapy and other conditions where direct delivery to affected areas is crucial for maximizing therapeutic effect while minimizing side effects.

The capacity of liposomes to modify the pharmacokinetics of drugs—such as their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion—also contributes to their effectiveness in increasing drug bioavailability, enabling a lower dose with improved therapeutic outcomes.