Fluticasone Propionate Liposomes for Pulmonary Delivery

The objective of the present study was to entrap fluticasone propionate in liposomes and study in vitro lung deposition of both liposomal dispersion and dry powder inhalation using twin stage impinger and Anderson cascade impactor. Liposomes were prepared by lipid film hydration method and characterized for size, shape, morphology, entrapment efficiency and in vitro lung deposition. The spray dried liposomes were further characterized for various physicochemical properties such as physical appearance, density, flow properties, drug content and in vitro pulmonary deposition. Fine particle fraction was also determined. Liposomal dispersion of fluticasone propionate was successfully prepared with more than 90% entrapment. Spray dried liposomes had mean size of 3-4 μ and a fine powder fraction of 9-10 %. Inclusion of antistatic agents such as leucine and magnesium stearate did not improve the aerosolisation behaviour of dry inhalation powder in this study.