Abstract:
Introduction. 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.
