Micelles refer to molecularly ordered aggregates that begin to form in large quantities after the surfactant concentration reaches a certain value in an aqueous solution. In micelles, the hydrophobic groups of surfactant molecules aggregate to form the core of the micelle, and the hydrophilic polar groups form the outer layer of the micelle. Liposomes are an artificial membrane. In the water, the hydrophilic head of the phospholipid molecule is inserted into the water, and the hydrophobic tail of the liposome extends into the air. After stirring, a spherical liposome with a double layer of lipid molecules is formed, with a diameter ranging from 25 to 1000 nm. Micelles and liposomes…

In the past few decades, the advent of lipid-based nano-delivery systems has brought research in the field of nanomedicines to new heights. Nanocarriers can encapsulate different types of drug molecules and have the advantages of improving drug solubility, extending circulation, achieving sustained and controlled drug release and targeted delivery. Lipids are important components of organisms, including fats, phospholipids, sterols, etc. Among them, phospholipids and sterols are the main components of biological membranes. Compared with other nanoformulations, lipid-based nanocarriers have good biocompatibility and complete biodegradability, low carrier toxicity and immunogenicity, and have great potential in clinical practice for the treatment of various diseases. Most of the nanomedicines currently on the market are…

What Are Neutral Lipids? Neutral lipids are defined as hydrophobic molecules lacking charged groups. Neutral lipids, such as cholesteryl ester (CE), triacylglycerol (TAG), and wax ester (WE), provide organisms with inert forms of energy used in conditions of nutrient deprivation and environmental stress. They also provide an excellent “sink” to buffer the toxic effects of fatty acids and fatty alcohols. Elevated cytoplasmic deposition of neutral lipids (primarily CE and TAG) is a significant risk factor for several disease pathologies, including diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (41, 53, 101). For example, the accumulation of CE in smooth muscle cells and macrophages in the vessel wall comprises the earliest recognizable stage…

Sphingolipids are the most structurally diverse class of membrane lipids, being composed of over 70 long-chain (sphingoid) bases, dozens of amide-linked fatty acids, and more than 300 headgroups. Sphingolipids are present in all eukaryotic and some prokaryotic organisms. 1.What Is The Function Of A Sphingolipid? Sphingolipids are highly bioactive compounds that participate in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, diverse cell functions, and apoptosis. Sphingolipids are both structural and functional lipids. Their physical properties (such as high phase transition temperatures) affect the properties of membranes and lipoproteins, and they are critical components of the water barrier of skin. Besides, they serve as ligands for extracellular matrix proteins and receptors on…

Lipids are defined as apolar molecules comprising as major classes fatty acids and fatty acid esters of normally natural origin. Non-natural components, such as dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes (in short carboranes) can also form acids and esters, which reveal lipid-like properties. Phospholipids are lipids usually composed of three components: a diglyceride, a phosphate group and another organic molecule such as choline, to produce phosphatidylcholine. Phospholipids are a major component of all cellular membranes and can form bilayers. What Are Examples of Phospholipids? The most common phospholipids are phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylserine. These phospholipids share the common features of fatty acids esterified to the 1 and 2 positions of the glycerol backbone with the phosphate…

Liposomes are small artificial sphere-shaped vesicles consisting of one or more phospholipid bilayers, which were first described in the mid-60s. Today, they are a very useful reproduction, reagent, and tool in various scientific disciplines, including mathematics and theoretical physics, biophysics, chemistry, colloid science, biochemistry, and biology. Since then, liposomes have made their way to the market. Due to their size and hydrophobic and hydrophilic character(besides biocompatibility), liposomes are promising systems for drug delivery. Among several talented new drug delivery systems, liposomes characterize an advanced technology to deliver active molecules to the site of action, and at present, several formulations are in clinical use. Research on liposome technology has progressed from conventional…