Exploring the use of liposomal drug delivery system for antiretroviral drugs in HIV/AIDS therapy

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome’ is a collection of symptoms and opportunistic infections from the specific damage to the immune system caused by the HIV. Highly Active Anti Retroviral Therapy minimizes the development of resistant strains, reduces mortality and the morbidity of HIV infection and increases the life expectancy of infected individuals. However, due to mutation in HIV and multiple drug resistance develops thrust for the development of novel drug delivery. Liposomes are concentric lipid bilayers and offers hydrophillic as well hydrophobic drug loading in aqueous region and within the bilayer of the vesicles respectively. These nanocarriers emerged as potential anti-HIV nanocarriers due to their property of targeting drug to HIV reservoir. Encapsulation of antiretroviral agents in to liposomes insures delivery of drug at targeted site, protects degradation of drug during circulation and improves pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution patterns of the drug. Liposome improves bioavailability and residence time of encapsulated drug at the target site. The vesicle size, surface charge, lipid composition and methods of preparation significantly affect the liposomal drug entrapment and targeting efficiency. In the present article, we have discussed origin, types and transmission of HIV, FDA approved drug in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, and role of liposomes in the treatment of this disastrous disease.