Liposomal Applications in Imaging and Drug Delivery: A Review

Abstract: 

Liposomes have been applied in different biomedical applications, imaging models, and drug delivery. This review shows that the liposomes act as MRI contrast agents and photoluminescent imaging agents with features of magneto-liposomes (MLs) and aminefunctionalized nanodiamonds (NDs). Encapsulation in the liposome prevents the agglomeration of NDs and improves the photoluminescence for better imaging. Liposomes can also be applied as devices that model cells to test membrane properties using techniques like Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). With the delivery of drugs, liposomes increase the therapeutic index for drugs, especially in cancer treatments. They make drugs more stable, less toxic, and help with targeted delivery. Surface modifications, including PEGylation, provide liposomes protection from immune clearance and prolong their circulation time. Ligand-activated targeting in the delivery of drugs is a means by which offtarget effects are minimized, leading to effective therapeutic outcomes. Adjuvant preparation methodologies using methods like thin lipid film hydration or microfluidics provide reproducibility and scalability of liposome production for a wide range of biological environments. Liposomes have immense clinical potential in imaging, modeling, and drug delivery, giving flexibility and effectiveness toward optimized technologies.