Ufasomes: A Vesicular Drug Delivery

Abstract

Patel DM, Jani RH, Patel CN

Unsaturated fatty acid vesicles (ufasomes) are suspensions of closed lipid bilayers that are composed of fatty acids, and their ionized species (soap) which are restricted to narrow pH range from 7 to 9. In ufasomes, fatty acid molecules are oriented in such a way that their hydrocarbon tails are directed toward the membrane interior and the carboxyl groups are in contact with water. Stable ufasome formulation critically depends on proper selection of fatty acid, amount of cholesterol, buffer, pH range, amount of lipoxygenase, and the presence of divalent cations. Recent innovations can provide opportunity to formulate ufasomes with tailorable features such as extension of pH range, insensitivity toward divalent cations, and enhancement of stability. This article describes method of ufasome preparation, key issues in ufasome manufacturing, recent innovations in ufasomes, dynamicity, stability, and microscopic characterization of ufasomes. Later part of this article deals with comparison of ufasomes with thoroughly studied liposomes.