Colon Targeted Liposomal Systems (CTLS): Theranostic Potential

Colon targeted liposomal systems (CTLS) for the delivery of bioactives have been well addressed in therapeutic manifestations of colonic ailments. Number of approaches using various drug delivery systems for colon targeting has been worked out but CTLS are first time being lime lighted in this review. Although liposomes are not supposed to be suitable for colon targeting via oral route this review explicitly provides advances of CTLS using exploitable ligands such as peptides or proteins (e.g. RGD, NGR, fibronectin mimetic peptide, and transferrin), Sialyl Lewis X (SLX), low molecular weight ligand like folate, monoclonal antibodies, endostatin gene and sulfatide etc. Moreover, it is bringing forth the diagnostic (or imaging) potential of CTLS using Re-188, Tc-99m, and In-111, etc. This review presents nanotechnology based advances for liposome researchers engaged in design and development of colon targeted liposomes for theranostic exploration.