Niosomes from Chain-Branched Glycolipids for Drug Delivery

In order to reduce side effects of medical drugs, carrier systems have been proposed to limit their action to the intended site. Liposomes, made of natural phospholipids or fatty acids are most commonly applied for drug delivery purposes. However, the chemical sensitivity of ester bonds one the one hand, and pH-sensitivity of ionic surfactant assemblies on the other, disfavour these materials. Glycoside-based glycolipids, as natural product analogues, offer an alternative, as they are chemically stable, non-ionic and considered biocompatible. This book describes the preparation of niosomes, non-ionic liposomes, from synthetic glycolipids as well as physical-chemical studies of the self-assembly behaviour of these bio-surfactants. The reader is given an inside into the design of material for drug delivery purposes and related investigation techniques. These involve optical polarising microscopy, deuterium NMR spectroscopy, systematic surface tension studies and dynamic light scattering. The book is targeting both scientists looking for an introduction to drug delivery related research and professionals looking for new material for their research.