Liposome drug delivery in combating the widespread topical antibiotic resistance: a narrative review

Background

The increasing trend of antibiotic resistance has posed challenges for scientists, especially in developing better drug formulations. The discovery of new antibiotics could take years. Therefore, the management of an ideal drug delivery system has become a primary focus nowadays.

Main body of abstract

Almost all skin diseases could be treated with the administration of topical drugs, especially infectious skin diseases. The increasing cases of antimicrobial resistance require innovative strategies and actions. In dermatokinetics, achieving optimal drug concentrations in the deepest layers of skin tissue is a significant challenge. Human skin has remarkably complex characteristics, presenting a major obstacle in efficiently maintaining drug efficacy. Nanocarriers are an important part of nanomedicine which provide excellent drug penetration through various drug delivery systems. Lipid-based nanovesicles, such as liposome, are the oldest and most potential nanovesicles for such a purpose. Several studies have shown the efficacy of liposome-contained antibiotics and offered the lowest microbial inhibition concentration (MIC). It is suggested that liposome also delivers greater drug accumulation compared to blank drugs.

Short conclusion

Liposome is a flexible lipid-based drug delivery that enhances drug permeation through skin tissue by mimicking the lipid bilayer system of the organ. It is non-toxic, less immunogenic, and easily degraded by enzyme. The incorporation of liposome into antibiotics may reduce the inefficient drug dosage since the encapsulation will protect the active compounds prior to being released from the vehicle. Thus, the lowest MIC and less clinical side effects will be obtained.

Graphical abstract