Migraine Disorders: Pathophysiology and Emerging Liposomal Drug Delivery Approaches

Migraine is a complicated neurovascular condition that significantly impairs quality of life and productivity, affecting over one billion individuals worldwide. While conventional therapies such as NSAIDs, triptans, and ergot derivatives provide temporary relief, their effectiveness is sometimes limited by low brain penetration, delayed onset of action, and systemic side effects. Liposomes, which are nanoscale vesicles capable of encapsulating both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, have emerged as an effective drug delivery system for overcoming these limitations. This review discusses the pathophysiology of migraine, conventional pharmacological approaches, and the limits of existing treatments. It then explores the classification, composition, and mechanism of liposomes, emphasizing the benefits in brain-targeted delivery. The focus is placed on recent preclinical advances demonstrating various liposomal formulations such as sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, propranolol, and natural compounds delivered through intranasal, intravenous, and transdermal routes. These studies showed increased bioavailability, targeted delivery, prolonged release, and improved therapeutic outcomes in experimental models. Liposomes present a compelling approach for the treatment of acute and preventive migraines, bridging the gap between patient safety and efficient drug action.