Abstract:
Humanity for thousands of years suffered from infectious diseases without
proper treatment. In the 20th century, the first antibiotic to treat bacterial infections, penicillin,
was discovered and was used successfully to treat infections during World War II. This
boosted investment in research and development of new chemical entities with antibiotic properties. However, the indiscriminate use and incomplete treatments, associated with the
ability of bacteria to mutate, promoted an increase in bacterial resistance to several
commercially available antibiotics. The difficulty in developing new antibiotics has led to
research being carried out in order to seek new pharmaceutical forms for the administration of
already known molecules. Among the nanotechnological possibilities of drug administration,
liposomes are noteworthy for allowing an increase in the drug's efficacy, reduction of toxicity,
in addition to being possible to obtain therapeutic self-direction. Objectives. In this work, we
will address a review of the use of liposomes in the delivery of antibiotics, their therapeutic
advantages and technological challenges for obtaining them. Methodology. A bibliographic
survey was carried out in Science Direct, Academic Google, Medline and PubMed databases
and, consequently, the literature was discussed. Results and discussion. The possibility of
manipulating the different properties of liposomes, such as size, composition of the lipid
layer, fluidity of the liposomal membrane, surface charge, targeting and/or modified release,
among others, allows for greater efficacy and safety in the delivery of antibiotics.
Conclusions. In vitro and in vivo evidence supports the significant benefits of applying
liposomes as antibiotic delivery systems.
