Application of liposomes in the treatment of infectious diseases

Abstract

The advances in the development of drugs and vaccines for major infectious diseases of tuberculosis (TB), malaria and HIV represent some of the most significant milestones in their therapeutic strategies. Yet, current drugs and vaccines display limitations such as drug resistance and low efficacy level. In recent years, new emerging and advanced nano-technology carrier liposomes have been widely studied towards producing drugs and vaccines capable of targeting infectious diseases. Liposomes portrayed biocompatible and biodegradable properties with versatile flexibility, characteristics that are advantageous for a good targeting at the site of action. The success of liposomes has renewed interest in the research and development of liposomal drugs and vaccines shifting the paradigm in infectious diseases treatment. This review focuses on the limitations of current therapeutic drugs and vaccines, the knowledge of liposomes in terms of their classifications and advantages, and a review of the application of liposomes in the treatment of TB, malaria, and HIV infection.

Keywords: Drug delivery system; HIV; Liposomes; Malaria; Nano-carrier; Tuberculosis; Vaccines.