Nanoformulations for Drug Delivery: Advances in Liposomes, Niosomes, Nanocapsules, Nanospheres, Nanosuspensions, and Nanoemulsions

Abstract

Novel Drug Delivery Systems (NDDS) have spearheaded a transformative epoch within pharmaceutical research by offering enhanced drug bioavailability, targeted tissue or cellular distribution, and improved patient compliance. Among these, nanoformulations encompassing liposomes, niosomes, nanocapsules, nanospheres, nanosuspensions, and nanoemulsions have gained traction for their ability to overcome physiological and pharmacokinetic impediments that often limit conventional dosage forms. This review presents a comprehensive overview of these nanocarriers, detailing their composition, design parameters, methods of preparation, drug release mechanisms, and diverse therapeutic applications. Critical considerations related to formulation stability, large-scale manufacturing, toxicity, regulatory oversight, and quality control are also examined. In addition, we discuss emerging directions such as stimuli-responsive nanovehicles, hybrid formulations, and the increasingly vital role of artificial intelligence in refining nanoformulation design. The collective evidence underscores the potential of nanoformulations to reshape future approaches in clinical therapeutics and personalized medicine, although several challenges remain on the path to large-scale commercial adoption.