Cationic Liposomes as Antimicrobial Agents

This document contains a mini-review of research work on bilayer-forming cationic lipids which self-assemble in water medium as closed bilayer membranes or liposomes and behave as very potent antimicrobial agents. In contrast to conventional liposomes, the large but differential cytotoxicity of cationic liposomes has been advantageously used against pathological microrganisms. This action has been described both in vitro against Gram-negative or positive bacterial strains and in vivo, against fungus. In certain instances, synergistic drug action against yeasts for fungicidal drugs carried by the antimicrobial bilayers has been described. Given the inexpensive character of certain synthetic cationic lipids and the multiple utility of liposomal models in drug delivery, many pharmaceutical applications are to be anticipated for this convenient joint venture