Brain-specific delivery of rifampin from lactyl stearate-coupled liposomes via monocarboxylic acid transporters

Background

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is an obstacle for pharmacologists wishing to find treatments for patients with brain disorders. The BBB restricts the uptake of many valuable hydrophilic drugs and limits their efficacy because of the presence of tight junctions, a high metabolic capacity, low pinocytic vesicular traffic, and efficient efflux mechanisms.

Aim

The present study aimed to characterize lactyl stearate-coupled liposomes and their potential for the brain targeting of rifampin (rifampicin).

Method

A liposomal delivery system was prepared for achieving the brain-targeted delivery of rifampin in 21 albino rats utilizing the monocarboxylic acid transport system. Liposomes were prepared by the cast-film method using phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol. Similarly, lactyl stearate-coupled liposomal systems were prepared by casting lactyl stearate film with lipids. These liposomal formulations were characterized for entrapment efficiency, vesicle size, in vitro drug release (using dialysis membrane), and in vivo drug accumulation in various tissues.

Results

Coupling of lactyl stearate to liposomes had a profound influence on entrapment efficiency. Entrapment efficiency was reduced from 41.28 ± 2.02% in uncoupled liposomes to 34.23 ± 1.60% in coupled liposomes. The vesicle size was increased after coupling with lactyl stearate. The in vitro drug release for the uncoupled formulation LIPO-3 was 62.9 ± 3.01% after 24 hours, whereas that of the coupled formulation LIPO-3-Ls-III was 44.5 ± 2.09%. The percentage of rifampin dose recovered from the brain following administration of lactyl stearate-coupled liposomes to albino rats at different time intervals was about 6–8 times higher than with uncoupled liposomes and about 10–12 times higher than with the plain drug solution.

Conclusion

Lactyl stearate-coupled liposomes were better localized within the brain compared to uncoupled liposomes. Lactyl stearate-coupled liposomes could be an excellent carrier system for brain targeting of the hydrophilic drug rifampin.     

Design and characterization of liposomes containing long-chain N-acylPEs for brain delivery: penetration of liposomes incorporating GM1 into the rat brain

Purpose. To develop a suitable liposomal carrier to encapsulate neu- roactive compounds that are stable enough to carry them to the brain across the blood-brain barrier with the appropriate surface characteristics for an effective targeting and for an active membrane transport. Methods. Liposomes containing glycosides and a fusogenic lipid were prepared by extrusion. Photon correlation spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry were used to characterize liposomal preparations. Tissue distribution was determined by using ³H-cholesterylhexadecylether as a marker. Results. The incorporation of glycoside determinants and N-palmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine gives liposomes with similar initial size, trapped volume, negative surface charge, bilayer fluidity, and melting temperature, except for monosialoganglioside-containing liposomes, which showed less negative surface charge and the highest size, trapped volume and melting temperature. All glycosilated formulations gave liposomes able to retain up to the 95% of encapsulated carboxyfluorescein after 90 min at physiologic temperature even in the presence of serum. Monosialoganglioside liposomes were recovered in the cortex, basal ganglia, and mesencephalon of both brain hemispheres. The liver uptake was higher for sulfatide- and glucose-liposomes, whereas the higher blood levels were observed for glucose- and mannose-liposomes. Conclusions. These results show the suitability of such liposomal formulations to hold encapsulated drugs. Moreover, the brain uptake of monosialoganglioside liposomes makes them good candidates as drug delivery systems to the brain.     

含胆盐脂质体体外稳定性影响因素的研究

以钙黄绿素为小分子水溶性荧光探针,采用薄膜分散法制备了平均粒径为150～200 nm的胆盐脂质体(含甘氨胆酸钠,SGC-Lip)和普通脂质体(含胆固醇,CH-Lip)。通过比较两种脂质体在生理范围内的pH、渗透压、胆盐溶液环境中药物的泄漏率,粒径及多分散系数(PDI)的变化来考察胆盐脂质体的稳定性。结果表明,pH和胆盐浓度是影响脂质体稳定性的主要因素,渗透压对脂质体的稳定性影响较小。SGC-Lip在pH 1.2、2.0及低浓度牛黄胆酸钠(<5 mmol/L)溶液中比CH-Lip更稳定。SGC-Lip在不同溶液中粒径和PDI无显著改变,提示胆盐对脂质膜的作用可能是通过对膜的溶蚀形成孔道,而不是使脂质体完全破裂。     

Liposomes increase skin penetration of entrapped and non-entrapped hydrophilic substances into human skin: a skin penetration and confocal laser scanning microscopy study.

Liposomes have been extensively studied and suggested as a vehicle for topical drug delivery systems. However, the mechanism by which liposomes deliver drugs into intact skin is not fully understood. In the present study, we have tried to understand the mechanism of transport of hydrophilic drugs into the skin using liposomes. The effect of separation of the non-entrapped, hydrophilic fluorescent compound, carboxyfluorescein (CF), from liposomally entrapped CF was investigated by measuring the penetration of CF across human skin under non-occlusive conditions in vitro using Franz diffusion cells. The fluorescent dye, CF, was incorporated into the liposomes and applied onto the skin. After a 6 and 12h incubation period, the amount of CF in the epidermal membrane and the full thickness skin was determined by fluorescence spectroscopy or by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The liposomal formulation containing CF both inside and outside the vesicles showed statistically enhanced penetration of CF into the human stratum corneum (SC) as compared to the formulations containing CF only outside of the liposomes and CF in Tris buffer. The CLSM results revealed that the formulation in which CF was present outside the liposomes showed bright fluorescence intensity in the SC and very weak fluorescence in the viable epidermis. However, the CF in Tris buffer failed to show any fluorescence in the viable epidermis. The results indicated that phospholipid vesicles not only carry the entrapped hydrophilic substance, but also the non-entrapped hydrophilic substance into the SC and possibly into the deeper layers of the skin.     

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.     

Preparation and optimisation of anionic liposomes for delivery of small peptides and cDNA to human corneal epithelial cells

Drug delivery to corneal epithelial cells is challenging due to the intrinsic mechanisms that protect the eye. Here, we report a novel liposomal formulation to encapsulate and deliver a short sequence peptide into human corneal epithelial cells (hTCEpi). Using a mixture of Phosphatidylcholine/Caproylamine/Dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (PC/CAP/DOPE), we encapsulated a fluorescent peptide, resulting in anionic liposomes with an average size of 138.8?±?34?nm and a charge of ?18.2?±?1.3?mV. After 2?h incubation with the peptide-encapsulated liposomes, 66% of corneal epithelial (hTCEpi) cells internalised the FITC-labelled peptide, demonstrating the ability of this formulation to effectively deliver peptide to hTCEpi cells. Additionally, lipoplexes (liposomes complexed with plasmid DNA) were also able to transfect hTCEpi cells, albeit at a modest level (8% of the cells). Here, we describe this novel anionic liposomal formulation intended to enhance the delivery of small cargo molecules in situ.     

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.     

Development of Liposomal Amphotericin B Dry Powder Inhaler Formulation

The purpose of our study was to prepare and optimize liposomal Amphotericin B (AMB) dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulation for treatment of invasive lung fungal infection. Liposomes were prepared by reverse phase evaporation technique using ethyl acetate and ethanol (1:1) as organic solvents to avoid a possible risk for human health and to impart adequate stability of the vesicles. Drug lipid ratio was 1:10 with membrane composition of hydrogenated soyaphosphatidylcholine; cholesterol and either saturated soyaphosphatidylglycerol (7:3:0.5) or stearylamine (1:1:0.1) was used to prepare negatively (AMB1) and positively (AMB2) charged liposomes, respectively. Liposomes were extruded through 2 μm polycarbonate membrane, separated from unentrapped drug and subjected to lyophilization using Tris buffer containing cryoprotectants in various mass ratios. Sucrose was found to be the best cryoprotectant for liposomal AMB in a mass ratio of lipid: sucrose at 1:5 for AMB1 and AMB2, respectively. Sorbolac 400 and sieved Pharmatose 325 M (500#) in varying mass ratios were used as carriers to prepare the liposomal DPI formulations and subjected to determination of angle of repose, compressibility index, dispersibility index, water content, scanning electron microscopy, and fine particle fraction (FPF). Carrier blend of Sorbolac 400 and 10% sieved Pharmatose 325 M (liposome: carrier ratio to be 1:6) resulted in 22.6 ± 2.2% and 16.8 ± 2.2% FPF for AMB1 and AMB2, respectively with significantly different (p >. 05) device fraction. Percent dug retention studies were conducted at different storage conditions and demonstrated a shelf life over 1 year at refrigerated storage condition (2–8°C).     

Remote loading of diclofenac, insulin and fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled insulin into liposomes by pH and acetate gradient methods

Remote loading of the model drugs diclofenac, insulin and fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled insulin (FITC-insulin) into liposomes by formation of transmembrane gradients were examined. A trapping efficiency of almost 100% was obtained for liposomal diclofenac, by the calcium acetate gradient method, whereas liposomes prepared by the conventional reverse-phase evaporation vesicle method had 1-8% trapping efficiencies. Soybean-derived sterol was a better stabilizer of the dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayer membrane than cholesterol, as shown from trapping efficiencies and drug release. The pH gradient method resulted in a 5-50% of FITC-insulin liposomal trapping efficiency, while insulin could not be loaded by this method. Liposomes released calcein in response to insulin, showing insulin interacts with the liposomal membrane in the presence of a transmembrane gradient. The present work has demonstrated a remote loading method for weak acids such as diclofenac into liposomes by the acetate gradient method. From the result of remote loading of FITC-insulin into liposomes by the pH gradient method, this method may be available for the preparation of liposomal peptides.Copyright     

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.     

Listeriolysin O enhances cytoplasmic delivery by Her-2 targeting liposomes

To enhance cytoplasmic delivery of liposomal contents to breast cancer cells, the authors have attached the pore-forming protein, listeriolysin O (LLO), to thermosensitive liposomes. The antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin^®) was also conjugated with the outer surface of the liposomes, resulting in highly specific binding and internalization into mammary epithelial cells that overexpress the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2). The liposomes were preloaded with a marker fluorescent dye, and the effect of LLO on the distribution of dye within the cells was monitored using fluorescence microscopy. Owing to the thermosensitive nature of the liposomes, hyperthermia at 42°C triggered the release of the encapsulated fluorescent calcein from the endocytosed liposomes into the interior of the endosomes. LLO, when conjugated to these liposomes, subsequently formed pores in the endosomal membrane, allowing calcein to flow out of the endosomal compartment into the cytoplasm. Her-2–targeted liposomes bearing LLO delivered a 22-fold greater concentration of calcein to mammary epithelial cells that overexpress Her-2 compared to cells with normal Her-2 expression. Thus, the addition of LLO to preformed liposomes offers a method for significantly enhancing delivery of liposomal contents to the cytoplasm of targeted cells.     

Improving the transport of chemotherapeutic drugs across the blood–brain barrier

The successful treatment of brain tumors or metastases in the brain is still hampered by the very efficient blood–brain barrier, which prevents the cerebral accumulation of a pharmacologically sufficient amount of a drug. Beside the possibility of disintegrating the functionality of this effective working barrier, a nanocarrier-mediated transport is presently an interesting and promising method to increase the drug concentration in the brain. Nanocarriers are small vesicles (<200 nm) and can be prepared by polymerization, resulting in nanoparticles, or by producing superficial lipid structures to incorporate the drug. In this context, liposomes are of importance owing to their ability to adapt their properties to the pharmacological requirements. In this article, we will give an overview of current possibilities of enhancing anticancer drug transport across the blood–brain barrier, based on its structure and functionality. Special consideration will be given to recent liposomal approaches that use active targeting for receptor-mediated transport across this physiological barrier.     

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.     

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.     

Fusogenic pH sensitive liposomal formulation for rapamycin: Improvement of antiproliferative effect

Context: Liposomes are increasingly employed to deliver chemotherapeutic agents, antisense oligonucleotides, and genes to various therapeutic targets.

Objective: The present investigation evaluates the ability of fusogenic pH-sensitive liposomes of rapamycin in increasing its antiproliferative effect on human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell line.

Materials and methods: Cholesterol (Chol) and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) (DPPC:Chol, 7:3) were used to prepare conventional rapamycin liposomes by a modified ethanol injection method. Dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) was used to produce fusogenic and pH-sensitive properties in liposomes simultaneously (DPPC:Chol:DOPE, 7:3:4.2). The prepared liposomes were characterized by their size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency percent (EE%), and chemical stability during 6 months. The antiproliferative effects of both types of rapamycin liposomes (10, 25, and 50?nmol/L) with optimized formulations were assessed on MCF-7 cells, as cancerous cells, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), as healthy cells, employing the diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay for 72?h.

Results and discussion: The particle size, zeta potential, and EE% of the liposomes were 165?±?12.3 and 178?±?15.4?nm, ?39.6?±?1.3, and ?41.2?±?2.1?mV as well as 76.9?±?2.6 and 76.9?±?2.6% in conventional and fusogenic pH-sensitive liposomes, respectively. Physicochemical stability results indicated that both liposome types were relatively stable at 4?°C than 25?°C. In vitro antiproliferative evaluation showed that fusogenic pH-sensitive liposomes had better antiproliferative effects on MCF-7 cells compared to the conventional liposomes. Conversely, fusogenic pH-sensitive liposomes had less cytotoxicity on HUVEC cell line.     

Liposomale Membranen unterschiedlicher Ladung als Diffusionsbarriere für aromatisch substituierte α-Aminoalkohole

Liposomal membranes with different charge as diffusion barrier for aromatically substituted α-aminoalcohols The method of micellar liquid chromatography is successfully used in separating a series of drugs from the membrane building lipids. Drugs, which belong to the chemical group of aromatically substituted α-aminoalcohols can be quantified UV-photometrically after separation. The experiments were carried out at pH 7.4 with soybean lecithin vesicles, which contain different charge carriers in their membrane. The incorporation of dicetylphosphate in the liposomal bilayer, which possesses two alkyl chains, leads only to the binding of certain amounts of the lipophilic drugs Propranolol and Alprenolol for at least two d. No binding effect to the membrane over a longer period could be reached for the hydrophilic drugs Oxprenolol, Orciprenaline and Sotalol in all kinds of liposomes.     

Development and Characterization of a Liposome Preparation by a pH-Gradient Method

Abstract— A pH gradient across liposome bilayers was established in order to load a model drug (orciprenaline sulphate) into liposome vesicles. This method of liposome loading resulted in yields as high as 80–85% encapsulation. An eight-step process was designed to scale-up the process and was evaluated. In this process a diafiltration technique was successfully used to remove the excess orciprenaline sulphate present in the external medium. Finally, drug-loaded liposomes were lyophilized using lactose as an internal and external liposomal cryoprotectant. Five-month stability data for the liposomes is reported. An HPLC technique was used to determine the drug concentration and a laser light-scattering technique was employed to determine the liposome vesicle size and polydispersity factor. Liposomes prepared by the pH-gradient method showed high encapsulation efficiency. Upon storage at 2–8°C the vesicle size increased and encapsulation efficiency decreased with time. These phenomena are attributed to gradual fusion of liposomes and loss of drug to the extra-liposomal media.     

Effect of vehicle on topical liposomal drug delivery: petrolatum bases

Abstract

Liposomes used for topical applications are often incorporated into a vehicle to achieve suitable viscosity and application properties. The effect of incorporation of liposomes into white petrolatum as a possible dermatological base was investigated. A number of formulae were developed to determine the type of petrolatum base that would be compatible with the liposomes. The physical appearance and stability of the vaseline-liposome (VL) preparations were determined by organoleptic analysis and microscopy. The effect of petrolatum base on the drug release from the liposomes was determined in a flow-through diffusion cell system using a model silastic polymer membrane as barrier. A base containing white petrolatum 46·7% (w/w), stearyl alcohol 6·7% (w/w), cholesterol 13·3 (w/w), Tween 80 16·7% (w/w) and Span 16·7% (w/w) was selected for diffusion studies, since the mixture of this base and liposome preparation, at 1:1–9 (w/w) ratios, provided a stable, dermatologically acceptable dosage form, in which the liposomes were uniformly distributed and their structures were preserved. Diffusion studies showed that the drug release rate decreases 2–5 × when the liposomes are incorporated into the vaseline base; however, after a temporary decrease they seem to extend the duration of release beyond that of the original liposomal formula. These studies revealed a possibility of using white petrolatum in the topical application of liposomes.     

Challenges in Development of Targeted Liposomal Therapeutics

Liposomes, phospholipid vesicles with a bilayered membrane structure, have been widely used as pharmaceutical carriers for drugs and genes, in particular for treatment of cancer. To enhance the efficacy of the liposomal drugs, drug-loaded liposomes are targeted to the tumors by means of passive (enhanced permeability and retention mediated) targeting, based on the longevity of liposomes in blood and its accumulation in pathological sites with compromised vasculature, and active targeting, based on the attachment of specific ligands to the liposomal surface to bind certain antigens on the target cells. Antibody-targeted liposomes loaded with anticancer drugs demonstrate high potential for clinical applications. This review highlights evolution of liposomes for both passive and active targeting and challenges in development of targeted liposomal therapeutics specifically antibody-targeted liposomes.     

Characterization and Release Studies of Liposomal Gels Containing Glutathione/Cyclodextrins Complexes Potentially Useful for Cutaneous Administration

The aim of this work is to develop and characterize a formulation intended for the cutaneous administration of glutathione (γ-glutamylcysteinylglycine, GSH), potentially useful for cellular defense against UV-induced damage. For this purpose, liposomes containing GSH or GSH/cyclodextrins(CDs) inclusion complexes as well as liposomes dispersed within a hydrophilic gel, were evaluated. These formulations were designed in order to obtain a system combining the advantages of liposomes as vehicles for topical drug delivery with those of CDs as penetration enhancers. The studied CDs were the natural (β-CD) and chemically modified (i.e., HP-β-CD and CH₃-β-CD) cyclodextrins. The prepared liposomes showed homogeneous size distribution, mean diameter in the range 622–1435 nm, small positive charge (+3.1 to +6.6 mV), and encapsulation efficiency of the peptide in the range 13.6%–23.7%. Release studies showed that the presence of the oligosaccharide may influence to some extent the amount of drug released, whereas stability studies clearly point out that the incorporation in a hydrophilic gel of 2-hydroxyethylcellulose insures a stable formulation maintaining unchanged the characteristics of liposomal vesicles. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 103:1246–1254, 2014