LIPOSOMES: REVOLUTIONISING FOR DIAGNOSIS & MANAGEMENT OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS

Bhavin D. Pandya*, Aashka T. Desai

ABSTRACT

Atherosclerosis is one of the principal contributors to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is a chronic disease characterized by the accumulation of lipid plaques and immune cells within the walls of arteries, leading to vascular inflammation, decreased blood flow to critical tissue regions and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. It is increasingly becoming a major health concern globally due to poor lifestyle and continues being a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Currently available therapeutic strategies largely depend on the usage of conventional dosage forms, which present with a host of issues like non-specific drug distribution, enhanced drug toxicity and adverse effects. Liposomes are artificial lipid bilayer vesicles with an aqueous core. They have emerged as promising alternatives, gaining immense traction in recent decades for formulation of multitude of drugs from various therapeutic classes due its ability to bypass the limitations of conventional dosage forms through the provision for targeted delivery via surface modification with minimal toxicity. Liposomes are the ideal carriers for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in a plethora of diseases, including atherosclerosis. They can be loaded with contrast agents to enable crisp, high resolution diagnostic images. Liposomes also exhibit promise in aiding the pharmacotherapy of atherosclerosis, chiefly owing to their ability to encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic therapeutic agents and deliver them directly to atherosclerotic lesions, thereby improving accumulation and penetration. This review explores the numerous advantages and applications of liposomal technology, majorly highlighting their employment in the therapy of atherosclerosis. Future advancements in liposomal systems bear the potential to revolutionize the treatment of CVD and offer novel therapeutic strategies.

Keywords: Liposomes, Cardiovascular diseases, Atherosclerosis, Treatment, Management, Applications.