ABSTRACT
Liposomes or (phospho)lipid vesicles are self-assembled colloidal particles that occur in nature or can be prepared artificially. In the beginning, liposomes were used to study biological membranes, while several practical applications, most notably in drug delivery, emerged in the 1970s. After three decades of research, several products are commercially available. They rely on liposome colloidal, microencapsulating, and surface properties. Products range from drug dosage forms (antifungals, anticancer agents, and vaccines) and cosmetic formulations (skin care products, shampoos) to diagnostics and food industry products. However, at present, it seems that drug delivery applications are now the most widely investigated area of their practical applications.
