NIOSOME: A NOVEL APPROACH FOR TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY AN. Kavitha, V. Deepthi and R.S. Thakur* Department of Pharmaceutics, Krupanidhi College of Pharmacy, #12/1, Chikkabellandur, Carmelaram Post, Bangalore-560 035, Karnataka, India. Tel: +9180 65973260 *Corresponding Author : Email:drramsthakur@gmail.com ABSTRACT The main goal of a site specific drug delivery system is not only to increase the selectivity but also to reduce the toxicity of the drug. Over the past several years, treatment of infectious diseases and immunisation has undergone a revolutionary shift. With the advancement in biotechnology and genetic engineering, not only a large number of disease-specific biologicals have been developed, but also emphasis has been laid on effective delivery of these biologicals. Different carriers like liposomes, niosomes, microspheres, resealed erythrocytes, dendrimers, aquasomes, transfersomes, ethosomes, phytosomes, nanoparticles etc. are used in novel drug delivery system. Vesicular systems are novel means of drug delivery that can enhance bioavailability of encapsulated drug and provide therapeutic activity in a controlled manner for a prolonged period of time. Niosomes are vesicles composed of non-ionic surfactants, which are biodegradable, relatively nontoxic, more stable and inexpensive, an alternative to liposomes. We review the current deepening and widening interest of niosomes in many scientific disciplines and, particularly its application in medicine. We also present an overview of the techniques of preparation of noisome, types of niosomes, characterisation and their applications. KEYWORDS: Target cells, drug therapeutic index, lamellar, surfactants.