Proniosomal drug delivery system for topical management of bacterial skin infections: A comprehensive review

Skin bacterial infections are one of the most common dermatological diseases and are caused by bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. Common drawbacks of topical antibacterial delivery systems are poor patient compliance and the development of microbial resistance due to low penetration to the target site, low residence time, frequent dosing, and inability to cross the stratum corneum. Proniosomes have emerged as a viable carrier for topical drug administration, and vesicular drug delivery strategies have received increased attention in an attempt to solve these issues. Proniosomes are free-flowing, dry formulations composed of non-ionic surfactants that, when hydrated, transform into niosomes. Better skin penetration, regulated drug release, increased drug retention within the skin, and improved chemical and physical stability are some of their advantages. Proniosomal formulations of some antibacterial agents, including mupirocin, fusidic acid, clindamycin, and ciprofloxacin, have demonstrated superior antibacterial activity and reduced irritation compared to conventional dosage forms. This review highlights proniosomal drug delivery system potential as an efficient and patient-friendly therapeutic approach for the topical treatment of bacterial skin infections by examining their composition, preparation methods, skin penetration mechanisms, evaluation parameters, therapeutic applications, recent research developments, and future prospects.