Niosomes are a type of vesicular nanocarrier exploited for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of various drugs in clinical practice. Niosomes comprise a bilayer hydrophobic membrane enclosing a central cavity filled with an aqueous phase, and therefore, they can encapsulate and deliver both hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances. Niosomal nanocarriers are preferred over other bilayer structures such as liposomes due to their chemical stability, biodegradability, biocompatibility, low production cost, low toxicity, and easy storage and handling. In addition, the niosomal membrane can be easy modified by the inclusion of ligands or stimulus-sensitive segments for achieving targeted delivery and triggered release of the encapsulated cargo. This mini-review outlines the current advances in designing functional niosomes and their use as platforms for developing advanced drug and gene delivery systems.

This review paper is focused on the design of anthracene and furan-containing Schiff bases and their advanced properties as ligands in complex transition metal ions The paper also provides a brief overview on a variety of biological applications, namely, potent candidates with antibacterial and antifungal activity, antioxidant and chemosensing properties. These advantageous properties are enhanced upon metal complexing. The subject of the review has been extended with a brief discussion on reactivity of Schiff bases with hydrogen phosphonates and the preparation of low and high molecular phosphonates, as well as their application as pharmacological agents. This work will be of interest for scientists seeking new challenges in discovering advanced pharmacological active molecules gaining inspiration from the versatile families of imines and aminophosphonates.