Preparation of liposome using egg yolk

In this study, 162 students in the 6 year Pharmacy Program at the School of Pharmacy, Iwate Medical University were asked to prepare liposomal preparations using chicken egg yolk and to evaluate their properties with the aim of developing novel liposomes. High-purity lecithins are generally used for preparing liposomes but they are expensive. On the other hand, egg yolk has various components, including lecithin and cholesterol, which are important components for the formation of liposomes, so it was hypothesized that liposomes prepared from egg yolk may participate in the formation of cell membrane in chicks. Both liposomes from egg yolk (YL) and from lecithin (LL) exhibited Malthesian crosses using a polarizing microscope and multilamellar vesicles were observed, confirming that liposomal preparations from egg yolk were useful. The particle size of YL was about 100 nm with one peak. Furthermore, the YL are believed to be viable under different conditions because the particle size did not change when they were prepared in buffers having different pH values. The results of these experiments indicate that liposomal preparations from egg yolk can serve as natural materials, although some obstacles remain. This is a unique approach for carrying out practical training in our 6 year pharmaceutical science program.     

Stability and drug release properties of liposomes containing cytarabine as a drug carrier

Liposomes were studied as a drug delivery system. Multilamellar vesicles, small unilamellar vesicles and large unilamellar vesicles containing cytarabine were prepared using egg yolk lecithin and cholesterol. Large unilamellar vesicles showed the highest encapsulation efficiency of all and their encapsulation efficiency increased as the buffer volume decreased. Cholesterol increased the stability of liposomal drug products as drug carriers and reduced the permeability of drug across the liposomal membrane. The release rate of cytarabine increased with incubation temperature and decreased with cholesterol incorporation in liposomal membrane. The release mechanism of cytarabine from large unilamellar vesicles in vitro was chiefly due to simple diffusion across the liposomal membrane rather than liposomal rupture.     

Liposomes as drug carrier systems. Preparation, classification and therapeutic advantages of liposomes]

Bangham et al. (1965) created first the concept of the liposome as a microparticulate lipoidal vesicle separated from its aqueous environment by one or more lipid bilayers. Later Gregoriadis and Ryman (1972) suggested to use liposomes as drug carrier systems. Nowadays liposomes are under extensive investigation for improving the delivery of therapeutic agents, enzymes, vaccines and genetic materials. Liposomes offer an excellent opportunity to selective targeting of drugs which is expected to optimize the pharmacokinetical parameters, the pharmacological effect and to reduce the toxicity of the encapsulated drugs. To understand the system it is important to know the basic properties of these lipoidal vesicles. Our aim was to focus on the lipid composition and the method of liposome preparation what determine the liposomal membrane fluidity, permeability, vesicle size, charge density, steric hindrance and stability of the liposomes as principle factors those influence the fate of liposomes, their interactions with the blood components and other tissues after systemic administration or local use.     

Gels and liposomes in optimized ocular drug delivery: studies on ciprofloxacin formulations

Ciprofloxacin (CPFX) containing therapeutic systems were developed using gel- and liposome-based formulations to minimize tear-driven dilution in the conjunctival sac, a long-pursued objective in ophthalmology. Physicochemical properties (pH, osmolarity, viscosity, expansivity, membrane fluidity and in vitro CPFX release rate) of the preparations were studied by the appropriate methods. For gel preparation, the bio-adhesive poly(vinyl alcohol) and polymethacrylic acid derivatives were applied in various concentrations. In our liposome-supported carrier systems, multilamellar vesicles from lecithin and alpha-L-dipalmithoyl-phosphatidylcholine provided the encapsulating agent. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was applied to study the molecular interactions in the ophthalmic formulations. The polymer hydrogels used in our preparations ensured a steady and prolonged active ingredient release. In addition, encapsulation of the CPFX into liposomes prolonged the in vitro release of the antibacterial agent depending on the lipid composition of the vesicles.     

Radiopaque liposomes: effect of formulation conditions on encapsulation efficiency

Liposomes containing sodium ioxitalamate were prepared by sonication. Suitable amounts of purified soybean phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol were used at various molar ratios. Stearylamine or dicetylphosphate were added to this lipid composition when charged liposomes were required. After sonication and removal of unencapsulated solute, this manufacturing process yielded small multilamellar vesicles as confirmed by electron microscopy. These liposomes did not exhibit a narrow range of size distribution; the mean particle size varied from 135 to 145 nm. With respect to the efficiency of encapsulation, two parameters were distinguishable: the volume of encapsulated aqueous space per unit of lipid weight and the percentage of the contrast agent added that became encapsulated in the liposomes. Investigation of the preparative parameters revealed that increased molar ratios of cholesterol yielded higher aqueous volume and iodine contents in the liposomes, which were attributed to a reduction of the liposome permeability to the contrast agent. However, the inclusion of cholesterol into the bilayer liposomal membrane was limited, probably by solubility restrictions. Negatively and positively charged liposomes had higher rates of encapsulation than did neutral liposomes. This result was expected since efficient encapsulation of polar compounds requires formation of large aqueous spaces within the vesicles per mole of lipids. Increase of the lipid fractions at a constant, reduced the aqueous volume entrapped per millimole of lipid and, consequently, the iodine content in the liposomes. However, an increase in the initial sodium ioxitalamate concentration diminished the aqueous volume entrapped in the liposomes but increased the iodine content.     

Liposomes from hydrogenated egg yolk lecithin

Egg yolk lecithin is a lipid, frequently been used for the liposome preparation. Such liposomes, however, are sensitive to oxidation and relatively permeable to encapsulated substances. The catalytic hydrogenation of egg yolk lecithin is one possibility to modify the properties mentioned. The authors deal with preparation and characterization of hydrogenated egg yolk lecithin. Liposomes from native and hydrogenated egg yolk lecithin--also in combination with cholesterol--are compared. Liposomes with hydrogenated egg yolk lecithin as phospholipid component exhibit a significantly increased encapsulation capacity and an essentially improved stability. The permeation of electrolytes, carboxyfluorescein and of the cytostatic drug daunorubicin is studied.     

Impact of membrane properties on uptake and transcytosis of colloidal nanocarriers across an epithelial cell barrier model

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of liposomal membrane properties on cellular uptake and transcytosis across a tight Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell barrier in vitro. More than 25 small vesicles were prepared by lipid film hydration/extrusion to generate small unilamellar vesicles. The fluorescence marker calcein was encapsulated to mimic hydrophilic drug transport. Marker uptake by MDCK cells seems to be mediated by different mechanisms for the liposomes used. It was mainly depending on membrane fluidity and vesicle charge. Liposomes L2 with a positive charge (325 ± 3 pmol/well) and vesicles L3 containing the helper lipid dioleylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) in their membrane (216 ± 42 pmol/well) were taken up to the most. Selected liposomes were tested for their transcytotic transport across a MDCK monolayer. Liposomes L4 containing equimolar DOPE and octadecyl‐1,1‐dimethylpiperidin‐1‐ium‐4‐yl phosphate (OPP) were the most efficient vesicles for transcellular transport resulting in 808 ± 30 pmol calcein/cm² in the basal medium (28.1% of total liposomal marker added). Transcytosis was positively correlated with membrane fluidity in the outer part of the bilayer, as electron paramagnetic resonance measurements revealed. We expect that an increase in membrane fluidity of vesicles should also improve the restricted transport of hydrophilic drugs across the blood–brain barrier. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 99: 2423–2433, 2010     

High efficiency entrapment of superoxide dismutase into mucoadhesive chitosan-coated liposomes

Superoxide dismutase (SOD), antioxidative enzyme and potential anti-inflammatory agent, was encapsulated into mucoadhesive chitosan-coated liposomes in order to increase its releasing time and to facilitate its cellular penetration. Positively, neutrally and negatively charged liposomes were prepared using soybean lecithin, stearylamine, phosphatidyl glycerol and cholesterol. The effects of liposomal lipid composition and protein to lipid ratio on the encapsulation parameters were studied in three preparation methods: dehydration–rehydration, hydration and proliposome methods. The highest efficiency of SOD entrapment, 39–65%, was achieved by the proliposome method. Vesicles prepared by the hydration method entrapped 1–13% and vesicles prepared by dehydration–rehydration entrapped 2–3% of SOD. Stability tests for SOD-loaded liposomes prepared by the proliposome method showed no significant loss of the enzyme activity within 1 month at 4 °C or within 2 days at 37 °C. Positively, neutrally and negatively charged liposomes, prepared by the proliposome method, were successfully coated with two types of low and medium molecular weight chitosans. Both types of chitosan coating increased the mucoadhesive characteristics of all three types of vesicles. Using the proliposome method and subsequent chitosan coating, highly efficient SOD-loaded vesicles for drug targeting on mucosal tissues could be produced.     

Liposomal ophthalmic drug delivery system. II. Dihydrostreptomycin sulfate

The carrier ability of liposomes for a model hydrophilic compound vas investigated in the rabbit eye. Dihydrostreptomycin sulfate was encapsulated in various types of liposomes, i.e. large and small uni- and multilamellar vesicles having either positive or neutral surface charge. An aqueous solution served as control preparation. Results indicated that liposomal encapsulation reduced the ocular drug con- centration. Addition of empty liposomes to the control solution did not alter drug levels in most of the ocular tissues. Among the liposomal preparations the large multi- and unilamellar vesicles provided higher drug concentration in all ocular tissue than the small unilamellar ones. Introduction of a positive charge on liposome surface enhanced liposome-conjunctiva interactions. The results suggest that liposomal encapsulation alters drug disposition in the eye lepending on the type of liposomes and the physicochemical properties of the encapsulated drug. In the case of the dihydrostreptomycin sulfate and possibly other hydrophilic drugs the liposomal encapsulation provides no advantages as far as drug delivery is concerned.     

Liposomes encapsulating polymeric chitosan based vesicles--a vesicle in vesicle system for drug delivery

Drug delivery systems comprising vesicles prepared from one amphiphile encapsulating vesicles prepared from a second amphiphile have not been prepared previously due to a tendency of the bilayer components of the different vesicles to mix during preparation. Recently we have developed polymeric vesicles using the new polymer-palmitoyl glycol chitosan and cholesterol in a 2:1 weight ratio. These polymeric vesicles have now been encapsulated within egg phosphatidylcholine (egg PC), cholesterol (2:1 weight ratio) liposomes yielding a vesicle in vesicle system. The vesicle in vesicle system was visualised by freeze fracture electron microscopy. The mixing of the different bilayer components was studied by monitoring the excimer fluorescence of pyrene-labelled polymeric vesicles after their encapsulation within egg PC liposomes or hexadecyl diglycerol ether niosomes. A minimum degree of lipid mixing was observed with the polymeric vesicle-egg PC liposome system when compared to the polymeric vesicle-hexadecyl diglycerol ether niosome system. The polymeric vesicle-egg PC vesicle in vesicle system was shown to retard the release of encapsulated solutes. 28% of 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (CF) encapsulated in the polymeric vesicle compartment of the vesicle in vesicle system was released after 4 h compared to the release of 62% of encapsulated CF from plain polymeric vesicles within the same time period.     

The use of liposomes as a model for drug absorption: β-lactam antibiotics

Liposomes were prepared from egg phosphatidylcholine-cholesterol-diacetylphosphate (80: 20: 5) and total lipid extracts of rat intestinal mucosa, and the permeability of the liposomal membrane to eight β-lactam antibiotics was studied by using a dynamic dialysis method. Although all the antibiotics used here are ionized and poorly lipid-soluble at pH 6·5, some of them are orally active and efficiently absorbed from the small intestine. The release rate constants from the aqueous dispersion of drug-entrapped liposomes were approximately in the order of their absorbability. Intestinal lipid liposomes were more permeable to the antibiotics than egg lecithin liposomes and the release rate constants for the drugs from intestinal lipid liposomes were strongly correlative with their absorption rate constants, except for cephalothin and ampicillin, the deviations of which could be explained by their surface activity. It is suggested that lipid components of the intestinal mucosa and the bilayer structure may play an important role in the absorption process of the antibiotics. The validity of liposomes as a model for the intestinal absorption of drugs is also discussed.     

Spectroscopic investigation of the molecular state of nystatin encapsulated in liposomes

The stability and spectral properties of nystatin-encapsulating liposomes, composed of various combinations of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), cholesterol (CH) and distearoyl-N-(monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol)succinyl) phosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE-PEG), were studied in order to elucidate the molecular state and localization of nystatin encapsulated in liposomes. Localization of nystatin at the surface region of the liposomal membrane was investigated by PEG/dextran two-phase partition and measurement of the fluorescence quenching of nystatin by p-xylene-bis-pyridinium bromide (DPX). In DPPC/DSPE-PEG liposomes and DPPC/CH/DSPE-PEG liposomes, containing 151 and 160 mcg nystatin per mg lipid, respectively, nystatin appeared to be present at the surface region of the liposomal membranes. Self-quenching of nystatin fluorescence was observed in DPPC/CH and DPPC/CH/DSPE-PEG liposomes even at low encapsulated amounts, suggesting the localization of nystatin in CH-incorporating membranes. In CH-free liposomes, nystatin molecules were at first delocalized in the membranes and then self-associated at a higher level of encapsulation. Absorption and circular dichroism (CD) spectra were also measured to examine the monomeric and aggregated states of nystatin in liposomes. High encapsulation efficacy was observed in DPPC and DPPC/DSPE-PEG liposomes, but the highest stability and retention of nystatin in liposomes were observed in DPPC/CH/DSPE-PEG liposomes, evaluated in terms of the nystatin and calcein release from nystatin-encapsulating liposomes in vitro. From the results, possible encapsulation mechanisms of nystatin in liposomes narrowed down to the following three points; interaction with lipid membrane, adsorption on the liposomal surface and complex formation with DSPE-PEG.     

Effect of lecithins on BCG-alginate-PLL microcapsule particle size and stability upon storage

Alginate-PLL microcapsules containing BCG were prepared by emulsification/internal gelation of an alginate solution dispersed within a vegetable oil containing lecithins as emulsifiers. The lecithins studied were soy bean lecithin at 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2% concentration; and dried egg yolk lecithin at 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1%. The microcapsule particle size showed a dependence upon the amount and type of lecithin added to the oil. Increasing the emulsifying agent concentration was found to reduce particle size, from 50.9 microm obtained when lecithins were not used in the emulsification step, to 13.9 microm obtained when 1% dried egg yolk lecithin was employed. The encapsulated BCG was identified by the Difco TB stain set K, followed by observation under optical microscopy. Once prepared, microcapsules were freeze-dried using 5% trehalose as cryoprotectant in order to preserve their stability upon storage. The stability of the microcapsules was assayed over 12 months at room temperature, finding that alginate-PLL microcapsules were stable up to 6 months. Moreover, in the case of microcapsules prepared with lecithins, a significant increase in particle size was observed, from 16.9 microm at the beginning of the study to 25.2 microm at 12 months storage.     

脂质体处方和制备方法对阿昔洛韦棕榈酸酯脂质体稳定性的影响

目的研究不同处方组成和制备方法对阿昔洛韦棕榈酸酯脂质体在4℃和25℃分别贮存90 d和180 d后的稳定性的影响。方法用卵磷脂(PC)/胆固醇(CH)/磷脂酰丝氨酸(PS),卵磷脂(PC)/胆固醇(CH)/硬脂酰胺(SA),卵磷脂(PC)/胆固醇(CH)/胆固醇硫酸酯(CS),神经酰胺(CM)/胆固醇(CH)/棕榈酸(PA)/胆固醇硫酸酯(CS),以薄膜分散法、逆向蒸发法和去水化/水化法,分别制备多室脂质体(MLV)、大单室脂质体(LUV)、去水化/水化脂质体(DRV),以平均粒径、渗漏率、pH值和Zeta电位4个指标考察不同贮存条件下脂质体的稳定性。结果脂质体稳定性顺序依次为,对不同脂质体处方:PC/CH/CS>CM/CH/PA/CS>PC/CH/PS>PC/CH/SA;对不同制备方法:LUV优于MLV和DRV;4℃时脂质体的稳定性优于25℃时的脂质体。结论脂质体的稳定性与制剂处方和制备方法密切相关。     

Effect of lecithins on BCG-alginate-PLL microcapsule particle size and stability upon storage

Alginate-PLL microcapsules containing BCG were prepared by emulsification/ internal gelation of an alginate solution dispersed within a vegetable oil containing lecithins as emulsifiers. The lecithins studied were soy bean lecithin at 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2%concentration; and dried egg yolk lecithin at 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1%. The microcapsule particle size showed a dependence upon the amount and type of lecithin added to the oil. Increasing the emulsifying agent concentration was found to reduce particle size, from 50.9mum obtained when lecithins were not used in the emulsification step, to 13.9mum obtained when 1% dried egg yolk lecithin was employed. The encapsulated BCG was identified by the Difco TB stain set K, followed by observation under optical microscopy. Once prepared, microcapsules were freeze-fried using 5%trehalose as cryoprotectant in order to preserve their stability upon storage. The stability of the microcapsules was assayed over 12 months at room temperature, finding that alginate-PLL microcapsules were stable up to 6 months. Moreover, in the case of microcapsules prepared with lecithins, a significant increase in particle size was observed, from 16.9mum at the beginning of the study to 25.2mum at 12 months storage.     

Effect of various formulation variables on the encapsulation and stability of dibucaine base in multilamellar vesicles

Formulation of local anesthetics in liposomal topical drug delivery system could provide a sustained and localized anesthesia. The aim of this study was to develop a liposomal dibucaine base (DB) local anesthetic delivery system. DB-loaded multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) were prepared through varying lipid composition, induced charge and pH of the hydration medium. Liposomes were characterized for morphology, size, entrapment efficiency (EE), in vitro drug release and stability including leakage stability. The percentage of drug entrapped in liposomes was found to be hydration medium pH dependent and charge dependent and more pronounced for negatively charged liposomes prepared using hydration medium of pH 9. In vitro release studies of liposomes have shown a sustained release of entrapped dibucaine compared to control solution. Results revealed that adjusting the various formulation variables of dibucaine base MLVs could yield stable and effective topical liposomal local anesthetic formulations.     

Influence of physicochemical properties of fluoroquinolones on encapsulation efficiency in liposomes

Three fluoroquinolones, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and a newly synthesized compound (CNV-8912), were encapsulated in liposomes of DPPC at pH 7.40 and encapsulation efficiency was determined by two methods: spectrophotometry of isopropanol-lysed vesicles and HPLC. These methods are compared with a view to the reproducibility and sensitivity of each technique. Physicochemical properties such as octanol-buffer coefficients and pKs were determined in order to interpret the encapsulation efficiency values in terms of affinity for lipid environments and microspeciation at pH 7.40.     

Ciprofloxacin Encapsulation Into Giant Unilamellar Vesicles: Membrane Binding and Release

This study aimed at investigating some respects of binding and interaction between water-soluble drugs and liposomal carrier systems depending on their size and lamellarity. As model substance, ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CPFX) was incorporated into giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) to study their CPFX encapsulation/binding capacity. To characterize molecular interactions of various CPFX microspecies with lipid bilayer, zeta potential and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy measurements were performed. The increase of the zeta potential at pH 5.4 but no change at pH 7.2 was interpreted in terms of the CPFX microspecies' distribution at the two pH values. EPR observations showed an increased fluidity because of CPFX binding to GUVs. We worked out and applied a three-compartment dialysis model to separately determine the rate of drug diffusion through the liposomal membrane. Equilibrium dialysis showed (a) different permeation of CPFX through the membranes of GUVs and multilamellar vesicles (MLVs), with characteristic half-lives of 54.4 and 18.1 h, respectively; and (b) increased retention of CPFX in case of GUVs with released amounts of 70% compared with about 97% in case of MLVs. Our results may provide further details for efficient design of liposomal formulations incorporating water-soluble drugs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 102:694–705, 2013     

Targeting of liposome-associated calcipotriol to the skin: effect of liposomal membrane fluidity and skin barrier integrity

Many dermal diseases like psoriasis are characterized by major changes in skin barrier function, which challenge the reproducible delivery of drugs into specific layers of diseased skin. The purpose of this study was to elucidate how liposomal bilayer fluidity and barrier integrity affected the delivery of liposome-associated calcipotriol to the skin. Calcipotriol-containing gel state and liquid state dipalmitoylphosphatidyl-choline:dilauroylphosphatidylcholine liposomes were prepared by extrusion. Using Langmuir monolayers, calcipotriol was shown to affect the packing of the lipid membrane. The penetration of radioactively labeled lipid and calcipotriol into pig skin was examined using the Franz diffusion cell model, and tape stripping was applied to impose an impaired barrier. Distorting the skin barrier resulted in an enhanced penetration of lipid from both gel and liquid state liposomes. In addition, increased penetration of lipid from liquid state liposomes was observed compared to gel state liposomes into barrier-impaired skin. For barrier-impaired skin, an elevated calcipotriol-to-lipid ratio was found in the receptor fluid for both liposome compositions indicating that calcipotriol is released from the vesicles. This suggests that the liposome-mediated delivery of calcipotriol to the epidermis of diseased skin is affected by the fluidity of the liposomal membrane.     

A novel method to prepare liposomes containing amikacin.

This work describes a novel method to prepare liposomal amikacin composed of soyabean lecithin and cholesterol; these were also prepared using two other methods (cast film method and proliposome method). Encapsulation efficiency was evaluated. Liposomes prepared by the new method, which combines the method of preparing proliposomes with freeze-drying, had the highest encapsulation efficiency. The influence of drug to lipid ratio on the encapsulation efficiency was investigated. The in vitro efflux of amikacin from liposomes with different lecithin: cholesterol ratios was also investigated.