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CONTENTS
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Introduction Structural components Advantages and Disadvantages Types of Liposomes Preparation of Liposomes - Handling of Liposomes - Drying of liposomes - Mechanism of liposomes preparation - Methods of preparation 6. Characterization of Liposomes 7. Pharmacokinetics of Liposome encapsulated drugs 8. Pharmacodynamics of Liposome encapsulated drugs 9. Stability of Liposomes 10. Applications of Liposomes 11. Recent advances 12. Liposome products in Market as well as in clinical trials 13. Conclusion 14. References
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Number of carriers was utilized to carry drug at the target organ/tissue which include immunoglobulins, serum proteins, synthetic polymers, lipid vesicles (liposomes), microspheres, erythrocytes, reversed micelles, niosomes, pharmacosomes, etc. Among them, liposomes show strong potential for efficient drug delivery to the site of action. Because they are - Biologically inert in nature, - Devoid of any antigenic, pyrogenic or allergenic reactions - Do not cause unfavorable side effects as well Liposomes were first described by British haematologist Dr. Alec D Bangham in 1961 (published 1964), at the Babraham institute, Cambridge. The name liposome is derived from two Greek words 'Lipid' meaning fat and 'Soma' meaning body. Definitions: Bangham et al.,1965 : Simple microscopic vesicles in which an aqueous volume is entirely enclosed by a membrane composed of lipid molecule. Weiner N. et al.,1989 : As a microstructure consisting of one or more concentric spheres of lipid bilayer separated by water or aqueous buffer compartments.
The drug molecules can encapsulated in aqueous space or intercalated into the lipid bilayer. The particle size of liposomes ranges from 20 nm to 10 m in diameter. Pharmaceutical researchers use the tools of biophysics in evaluating liposomal dosage forms. Liposomes have covered predominantly medical, albeit some non-medical areas like bioreactors, catalysts, cosmetics and ecology.
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Phospholipids and cholesterol are main components of liposomes. PHOSPHOLIPIDS Phospholipids are the major components of biological membranes, where two types of phospholipids exist phosphoglycerides and sphingolipids, together with their corresponding hydrolysis products. The common phospholipid is phosphotidylcholine (PC) molecule. PC is an amphipathic molecule in which a glycerol bridge links a pair of hydrophobic acyl hydrocarbon chains, with a hydrophilic polar headgroup, phosphor choline.
Molecules of PC are not soluble in water and in aqueous media ,they align themselves closely in planar bilayer sheets in order to minimize the unfavourable action between the bulk aqueous phase and the long hydrocarbon fatty chain. Such unfavorable interactions are completely eliminated when the sheets fold on themselves to form closed sealed vesicles. PC molecule contrast markedly with other amphipathic molecule (detergents, lysolecithin) in that they forms bilayer sheets but not micellar structures. This is thought to be because the double fatty acid chain gives the molecule an overall tubular shape, more suitable for aggregation in planar sheets compared with detergents with a polar head anf single chain whose conical shape fits nicely into a spherical micellar structure
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Micellar
PC (or lecithin) can be derived from natural and synthetic sources. At various temperatures, lecithin membranes can exist in different phases (phases are states such as solid gel state or fluid liquid state). The transition from one phase to another can be detected by physical techniques as the temperature is increased. At elevated temperature lipid membrane passes from tightly ordered gel to a liquid crystal phase where freedom of movement of individual molecule is higher. Most widely used method for determining the phase transition temperature (Tc) is micro-calorimetry. In general, increasing chain length, or increasing the saturation of the chains, increasing the transition temperature and also the stability of molecule. Some other commonly used phospholipids:Naturally occurring phospholipids: - Phosphotidylcholine - Phosphotidylethanolamine - Phosphotidylserine Synthetic phospholipids : - DOPC : Dioleoyl phosphotidylcholine - DSPC : Distearoyl phosphotidylcholine - DOPE : Dioleoyl phosphotidylethanolamine - DSPE : Distearoyl phosphotidylethanolamine CHOLESTEROL Cholesterol does not by itself form bilayer structure, but cholesterol can be incorporated in very high concentration upto 1:1 or even 2:1 molar ratios of cholesterol to PC. It acts as a fluidity buffer, i.e. below the phase transition temperature; it makes the membrane less ordered and slightly more permeable; while above the phase transition temp. It makes the membrane more ordered and stable. Maliba Pharmacy College, Tarsadi Page 5
Cholesterol inserts the membrane with its hydroxyl groups oriented towards the aqueous surface and aliphatic chain aligned parallel to the acyl chians in the center of the bilayer.
Mechanism of cholesterol acting as a fluidity buffer: It increases the separation between the choline head groups and eliminates the normal electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions thus pushing the phospholipids apart, making layer less ordered at lower temperature. However, in the higher concentrations that cholesterol is used, the membrane area occupied by the combination of acyl chains and cholesterol is greater than that taken by phosphocholine head group. This difference in area retards chain tilt. Above the transition temperature, the reduction in the freedom of the acyl chains causes the membrane to remain condensed and rigidized with a reduction in area through doser packing and resultant decrease in fluidity.
Why use liposomes ? Direction: Liposomes can target a drug to the intended site of action in the body, thus enhancing its therapeutic efficacy (drug targeting, site-specific delivery). Liposomes may also direct a drug away from those body sites that are particularly sensitive to the toxic action of it (site-avoidance delivery). Duration: Liposomes can act as a depot from which the entrapped compound is slowly released over time. Such a sustained release process can be exploited to maintain therapeutic (but nontoxic) drug levels in the bloodstream or at the local administration site for prolonged periods of time. Thus, an increased duration of action and a decreased frequency of administration are beneficial consequences.
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Drugs incorporated in liposomes, in particular those entrapped in the aqueous interior, are protected against the action of detrimental factors (e.g. degradative enzymes) present in the host. Conversely, the patient can be protected against detrimental toxic effects of drugs Internalization: Liposomes can interact with target cells in variousways and are therefore able to promote the intracellular delivery of drug molecules that in their free form (i.e. non-encapsulated) would not be able to enter the cellular interior due to unfavorable physicochemical characteristics (e.g. DNA molecules). Amplification: If the drug is an antigen, liposomes can act as immunological adjuvant in vaccine formulations.
Advantages of Liposomes
1. Liposomes are biocompatible, completely biodegradable, non-toxic, flexible and nonimmunogenic for systemic and non-systemic administrations. 2. Liposomes supply both a lipophilic environment and aqueous milieu interne in one system and are therefore suitable for delivery of hydrophobic, amphipathic and hydrophilic drugs and agents. 3. Liposomes have the ability to protect their encapsulated drug from the external environment and to act as sustained release depots (Propranolol, Cyclosporin). 4. Liposomes can be formulated as a suspension, as an aerosol, or in a semisolid form such as gel, cream and lotion, as a dry vesicular powder (proliposome) for reconstitution or they can be administered through most routes of administration including ocular, pulmonary, nasal, oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous, topical and intravenous. 5. Liposomes could encapsulate not only small molecules but also macromolecules like superoxide dismutase, haemoglobin, erythropoietin, interleukin-2 and interferon-g. 6. Liposomes are reduced toxicity and increased stability of entrapped drug via encapsulation. (Amphotericin B, Taxol). 7. Liposomes are increased efficacy and therapeutic index of drug (Actinomycin-D). 8. Liposomes help to reduce exposure of sensitive tissues to toxic drugs. 9. Alter the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic property of drugs (reduced elimination, increased circulation life time). 10. Flexibility to couple with site-specific ligands to achieve active targeting (Anticancer and Antimicrobial drugs).
Disadvantages of liposomes
1. 2. 3. 4. Production cost is high. Leakage and fusion of encapsulated drug / molecules. Sometimes phospholipid undergoes oxidation and hydrolysis like reaction. Short half-life, Low solubility and Fewer stables. Page 7
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1. Conventional liposomes These can be defined as liposomes that are typically composed of only phospholipids (neutral and/or negatively charged) and/or cholesterol. Most early work on liposomes as a drugcarrier system employed this type of liposomes. Conventional liposomes are a family of vesicular structures based on lipid bilayers surrounding aqueous compartments. Conventional liposomes are characterized by a relatively short blood circulation time due to rapid uptake by MPS system. They are useful for macrophage targeting, as local depot and for vaccination purpose. 2. Long-circulating liposomes The fast and efficient elimination of conventional liposomes from the circulation by liver and spleen macrophages has seriously compromised their application for the treatment of the wide range of diseases involving other tissues. The advent of new formulations of liposomes that can persist for prolonged periods of time in the bloodstream led to a revival of interest in liposomal delivery systems at the end of the 1980s. In fact, the long-circulating liposomes opened a realm of new therapeutic opportunities that were up to then unrealistic because of efficient MPS uptake of conventional liposomes. Perhaps the most important key feature of long circulating liposomes is that they are able to extravasate at body sites where the permeability of the vascular wall is increased. Fortunately, regions of increased capillary permeability include pathological areas such as solid tumors and sites of infection and inflammation. Maliba Pharmacy College, Tarsadi Page 9
It is illustrative for the importance of the long-circulation concept that the only two liposomal anticancer products that are approved for human use are based on the use of long-circulating liposomes for tumor-selective delivery of antitumor drugs (Doxil,DaunoXome). At present the most popular way to produce long-circulating liposomes is to attach hydrophilic polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG) covalently to the outer surface. 3. Immunoliposomes Immunoliposomes have specific antibodies or antibody fragments (like Fab9 or single chainantibodies) on their surface to enhance target site binding. They are useful for site specific targeting. 4. Cationic liposomes These delivery systems are under development for improving the delivery of genetic material. Their cationic lipid components interact with, and neutralize, the negatively-charged DNA, thereby condensing the DNA into a more compact structure. The resulting lipidDNA complexes, rather than DNA encapsulated within liposomes, provide protection and promote cellular internalization and expression of the condensed Plasmid. 5. Temp.-sensitive immunoliposomes The heat induced drug release concept is based on the large increase in the permeability of liposomal bilayers around their phase transition temperature. Local heating of tumor tissue up to this phase transition temp. will enhance drug release from liposomes present in the heated area. Both the degree of extravasation and the rate of drug release increases in this case. 6. pH-sensitive immunoliposomes pH sensitive IL targeted to internalizing receptors will end up in endosomes, where acidification will trigger liposome destabilization and possible fusion with endosomal membrane. They have been successfully applied in vitro for the delivery of antitumor drugs into cytoplasm of tumor cells. Lamella : Lamella is a thin flat plate like structure that appears during the formation of liposomes. The phospholipid bilayer first exists as a lamella before getting converted into spheres. Several lamella of phospholipid bilayers are stacked one on top of the other during formation of liposomes to form a multilamellar structure.
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In general, it is assumed that liposomes have a standard composition egg lecithin : cholesterol : phosphatidyl glycerol in molar ratio 0.9 : 1.0 : 0.1. This lipids can be stored either as solids or in organic solution at -20C or at -70C in order to reduce the chances of oxidation. The solvent most widely used is a mixture of chloroform and methanol in a volume ratio of 2:1. Compounds which are sparingly soluble in either chloroform or methanol alone will often dissolve readily in this 2:1 sovent mixture. Solvent of the highest purity should be used, particularly since some contaminants may be chemically reactive and may cause lipids to deteriorate. Ether degrades over time to form peroxides, while chloroform gives rise to phosgene on standing. Formation of latter can be prevented by addition of 1% ethanol to stabilize the chloroform and most commercial sourses of chloroform are sold in this form. All lipid solutions should be stored in dark, in glass vessels with a securely fastened ground glass stopper. Polypropylene containers may also be used, although it is difficult to find caps which fasten tightly enough to prevent evaporation of the solvents, which can take place under refrigeration. Inert rubber (e.g. neoprene) can be used as a seat, but it does not tend to swell in chloroform. In order to reduce the possibility of oxidation of lipids, nitrogen is most commonly used. Since nitrogen is lighter than air, yet, a strong flow of gas is needed to ensure complete exchange with air. The use of argon gas is preferable since this is heavier than air and forms an effective blanket with just a very gentle stream of gas. Drying of liposomes Large volume of organic solution of lipids is most easily dried in a rotary evaporator fitted with a cooling coil and a thermostatistically controlled water bath. Rapid evaporation of solvent is carried out by gentle warming (20 C - 40 C) under reduced pressure (400 700 mmHg). Rapid rotation of the solvent containing flask increases the surface area for evaporation. To remove last traces of chloroform, attachment of flask to the manifold of lyophilizer, and overnight exposure to high vacuum is a good method. General methods of preparation of liposomes All methods include three or four basic stages:1. 2. 3. 4. Drying down lipids from organic solvent, Dispersion of lipids in aqueous media, Purification of resultant liposomes, and Analysis of final product.
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Mechanism of Liposome Preparation: The budding theory - Stress induced hydration of phospholipids. - Organization in to lamellar arrays. - Results in to budding of lipid bilayer leading to down sizing.
The bilayer phospholipids theory. - Liposomes (lipid vesicles) are formed when thin lipid films or lipid cakes are hydrated and stacks of liquid crystalline bilayers become fluid and swell. - The hydrated lipid sheets detach during agitation and self-close to form large, multilamellar vesicles (LMV).
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Once these particles have formed, reducing the size of the particle requires energy input in the form of sonic energy (sonication) or mechanical energy (extrusion).
In this method, lipid mixture are dissolved in solvent mixture of chloroform : methanol (2:1) in rotary evaporator flask and dried thin film of lipid is made using rotary evaporator under reduced pressure (60 rpm, 30C, and about 15 min).
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Flask is flushed with nitrogen and Hydration of lipid is done by adding 5ml of saline phosphate buffer containing drug/solute to be encapsulated and again use of rotary evaporator for making homogeneous milky white suspension. It is allowed to stand for 2 hr at RT/above Tc for complete swelling process. This will give MLVs.
Sonication method
At high energy level, preformed MLVs are sonicated using either probe or bath ultrasonic disintegrator. Using Probe: Used for suspensions which require high energy in a small volume. And contamination of preparation with metal can lead to degradation of lipid. Using Bath: Used for large volume of dilute lipids where may not necessary to reach the vesicle size limit. Finally, they are purified into the SUVs by ultracentrifugation and collected from supernant of centrifuge tube. Size of liposome is influenced by temperature, composition, and concentration, sonication time & power, volume of product.
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In this method, Microfluidizer pumps the fluid at very high pressure through a 5m screen. Then, it is forced along defined micro channels which direct two streams of fluid to collide together at right angles at a very high velocity, thereby effecting a very efficient transfer of energy. The lipid can be introduced into the fluidizer, either as a suspension of large MLVs, or as a slurry of unhydrated lipid in a organic medium. The fluid collected can be recycled through the pump and interaction chamber until vesicles of the spherical dimension are obtained. Advantages: Excellent size reduction upto 0.2mm, High rate of production, for encapsulation of water soluble materials due to high proportion of lipid.
In this method, liquid sample of preformed MLVs are introduced into the sample cavity, then the position of piston and pressure is set up to fill sample upto the outlet hole. Then power is switched on. At high pressure (2000 psi) and at 40C, MLVs are extruded through small orifice, which is collected in suitable container. Maliba Pharmacy College, Tarsadi Page 16
This technique yields uni- or oligo lamellar liposome of intermediate size. More stable than they obtained by sonication method and also leakage of the content from the liposomes are lesser. Drawback: High cost of the pressure cell.
Size of prepared liposomes is reduced by gentley passing them through membrane filter of defined pore size and this can be achieved at much lower pressure. In this process, the vesicles content are extruded with the dispersion medium during breaking and resealing of phospholipids as they pass through the polycarbonate membrane in order to achieve high entrapment. The liposomes produced by this method have been termed as LUVETs and 30% encapsulation can be obtained using high lipid concentration.
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It starts with freeze drying of a dispersion of empty SUVs and rehydrating it with the aqueous fluid containing the materials to be entapped. This leads to dispersion of solid lipids in finely subdivided form. Freeze drying is used to freeze and lyophilize the preformed SUVs dispersion rather than to dry the lipids from an organic solution. This leads to organized membrane structure which on addition of water can rehydrate, fuse and reseal to form vesicle with high capture capacity. It is used for manufacturing of uni - or oligo lamellar of the order of 1.0m or less in diameter. Advantages: high entrapment of water soluble content and use of mild condition for preparation & loading of bioactive.
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The essential feature of this method is the removal of solvent from emulsion by evaporation. In this method, lipids dissolved in organic solvents are sonicated by bath sonication which form emulsion (w/o) and then emulsion is dried down to a semi solid gel using rotary evaporator under reduced pressure. The next step is to bing about the collapse of a certain proportion of water droplets by vigorous mechanical shaking with a vortex mixer. This will give LUVs. Encapsulation percentage: upto 50%
DETERGENT SOLUBILIZATION FOR PASSIVE LOADING:In this method, the phospholipids are brought into intimate contact with the aqueous phase via the intermediary of detergents, which associate with phospholipid molecules and serve to screen the hydrophobic portions of the molecule from water. The detergent depletion method is used for preparation of a variety of liposomes and proteoliposome formulations. Detergents can be depleted from a mixed detergent-lipid micelles by various techniques which leads to the formation of very homogeneous liposomes. The most popular detergent is sodium cholate, alkyl(thio)glucoside, and alkyloxypolyethylenes. The use of different detergents results in different size distributions of the vesicles formed. Page 20
A faster depletion rate produces smaller size liposomes. The use of different detergents also results in different ratios of large unilamellar vesicles/ oligolamellar vesicles/multilamellar vesicles.
Detergent depletion is achieved by four following approaches: A. Dialysis: The dialysis can be preformed in dialysis bags immersed in large detergent free buffers (equilibrium dialysis) or by using continuous flow cells, diafiltration and cross filtration. B. Gel filtration: In this method the detergent is depleted by size exclusive chromatography. Sephadex G-50, Sephadex G-100, Sepharose 2B-6B and Sephacryl S200-S1000 can be used for gel filtration. The liposomes do not penetrate into the pores of the beads packed in a column. C. Adsorption using biobeads: Detergent adsorption is achieved by shaking of mixed micelle solution with beaded organic polystyrene adsorbers such as XAD-2 beads and Bio-beads SM2. The great advantage of the using detergent adsorbers is that they can remove detergents with a very low critical micelle concentration (CMC) which are not completely depleted by dialysis or gel filtration methods. D. Dilution: Upon dilution of aqueous mixed micellar solution of detergent and phospholipids with buffer the micellar size and the polydispersity increases dramatically, and, as the system is diluted beyond the mixed micellar phase boundary, a spontaneous transition from polydisperse micelles to monodisperse vesicles occurs.
ACTIVE (REMOTE) LOADING TECHNIQUE: Certain types of drugs with ionisable groups and those with both lipid and water solubility can be introduced into liposomes after the formation of the intact vesicles. Drug is loaded into the preformed liposomes using pH gradient and potential difference across liposomal membrane. Approach for remote loading : Vesicles are prepared in low pH solution, thus generating low pH within liposome interior followed by addition of the base to external mediun of liposomes. Basic compounds with amino group are relatively lipophilic at high pH and hydrophilic at low pH. Unprotonated form of basic drug can diffuse through the bilayer. At the low pH side, the molecules are predominantly protonated, which lower the concentration of the drug in the unprotonated form. Dynamic equilibrium promotes the diffusion of more drug molecules at low pH side of the bilayer. Exchange of external medium by gel-exclusion chromatography with a neutral solution to remove remaining basic compound. Advantages: High encapsulation efficiency and capacity. Reduced leakage of the encapsulated materials.
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Bed side loading of the drugs, thus limiting loss of retention of drugs by diffusion or chemical degradation during storage. Flexibility for the use of constitutive lipids, as drug is loaded after the preparation of carrier units. Avoidance of biological reactive compounds during preparation steps in the dispersion thus reducing safety hazards.
Weak base such as doxorubicin, adriamycin, vincristine and short modified peptides & insulin have been successfully encapsulated by remote loading method.
The behaviour of liposomes in both physical and biological systems is governed by the factors such as physical size, membrane permeability, percent entrapped solutes, chemical composition as well as the quantity and purity of the starting materials. Therefore, the liposomes are characterized for physical attributes i.e shape, size and its distribution, percentage drug capture, entrapped volume, lamellarity, percentage drug release and chemical composition (estimation of phospholipids, phospholipids oxidation and analysis of cholesterol). Physical Characterization Characterization parameters Analytical method/Instrument 1 Vesicle shape and surface Transmission electron microscopy, morphology Freeze-fracture electron microscopy 2 Mean vesicle size and size Dynamic light scattering, zetasizer, distribution Photon correlation spectroscopy, laser light scattering, (submicron and micron range) gel permeation and gel exclusion 3 Surface charge Free-flow electrophoresis 4. Electrical surface potential and Zetapotential measurements & pH sensitive probes surface pH 5 Lamellarity Small angle X-ray scattering, 31P-NMR, Freezefracture electron microscopy 6 Phase behaviour Freeze-fracture electron microscopy, Differential scanning colorimetery 7 Percent of free drug/ percent Minicolumn centrifugation, ion-exchange capture chromatography, radiolabelling 8 Drug release Diffusion cell/ dialysis Chemical Characterization 1 Phospholipid concentration Barlett assay, Stewart assay, HPLC Maliba Pharmacy College, Tarsadi Page 22
2 Cholesterol concentration Cholesterol oxidase assay and HPLC 3 Phopholipid peroxidation UV absorbance, Iodometric and GLC 4 Phospholipid hydrolysis, HPLC and TLC Cholesterol auto-oxidation. 5 Osmolarity Osmometer Biological Characterization 1 Sterility Aerobic or anaerobic cultures 2 Pyrogenicity Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) test 3 Animal toxicity Monitoring survival rates, histology and pathology
These systems are designed to control following parameters: 1. The rate of input of drug into particular body compartment. 2. The distribution & localization of drug in to body. 3. The persistence or rate of metabolism of drug. Liposomes generally perform some of same functions polymeric controlled release systems i.e. they can act as a drug reservoir with an output controlled and limited by the permeability characteristics of the liposome membrane. An important difference is that, at present, the release rate of drug from liposomes is much faster than that from polymeric systems. Thus, liposomes can only act as sustained release preparations for hours to days as compared with days to months for polymeric devices. Clearance and distribution of liposome in vivo:Two major determinants of liposome clearance: - Vesicle size & Surface size Vesicle size: SUVs persist in the circulation for longer periods than large MLVs of same composition. In addition, the clearance rate of liposome samples, homogeneous in size, can be described by a simple exponential function, whereas the clearance of heterogeneous samples can only be fitted by sum of exponentials, suggesting that liposomes are cleared by a single type of process and that this process is size dependent. Surface charge: SUVs with ve+ and ve charge retained in circulation for long periods, whereas small negative vesicles are rapidly cleared. Page 23
After clearance from circulation, they are sequestered in various tissues and organs. MLVs :- liver & spleen are primary sites of uptake (due to presence of phagocytic reticuloendothelial cells and blood flow is through open sinusoids rather than through capillaries in these organs). Also preferentially retained in lung (due to physical entrapment of liposomes in the capillary beds of this organ). SUVs :- broader tissue distribution, however, in liver & spleen also.
Pharmacodynamic effects: Retardation of drug clearance from the circulation. High drug accumulation in tissues rich in reticuloendothelial cells, especially liver and spleen. Retention of drug in tissue for large periods. Protection of drug against metabolic degradation and elimination. Localized drug delivery primarily for cancer therapy
Chemical degradation:It includes mainly liposomal phospholipid oxidation and hydrolysis. Prevention:1. Start with freshly purified lipids & freshly distilled solvents. 2. Avoid procedure which involves high temperature. 3. Carry out manufacturing in absence of oxygen. 4. Deoxygenate aqueous solution with nitrogen. 5. Store all liposome suspensions in inert atmosphere. 6. Include anti-oxidants as a component of the lipid membrane. Apart from these, saturated lipids reduce level of oxidizable lipid in membrane.
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The hydrolysis may be avoided altogether by the use of lipids which contain either instead of ester linkage such as found in membrane of halophilic bacteria. Hydrolysis in vivo as a result of enzymatic attack can be prevented by the use of sphingomyelin, or phospholipid derivatives with the 2-ester linkage replaced by a carbomyloxy function.
Physical degradation:It mainly includes leakage and fusion of vesicles. Prevention:1. SUVs (prone to fusion) is stored at temperature away from the Tc. 2. Avoid high conc. of metal ions for liposome having negative charge in the membrane and use of metal ion chelater in the suspending buffer. 3. High molar ratio of cholesterol is most stable with regard to leakage of solute for large polar or ionic molecule and low MW lipophilic compound. Freezing / lyophillization / cryopreservation most suitable method to prevent degradation.
lower EC90 than the free drug in inhibiting HIV-1 production in human monocyte-derived macrophages. In a recent study Mareuli et al. compared the antiviral effects of free-SPC3 and liposomeassociated SPC3 in cultured human lymphocytes infected with HIV-1. SPC3 is a potent antiviral drug, which blocks lymphocyte and macrophage infections with various HIV strains in vitro. Liposomal entrapment was found to increase the antiviral efficacy of SPC3 by more than 10-fold and 5-fold in C8166 and PBLs, respectively so data of present study suggest that the liposome approach may be used successfully to improve SPC3 antiviral efficacy. Pretzer et al. examined the effect of free and liposome encapsulated protease inhibitor L689502, on virus production by monocyte-derived macrophages infected with HIV-1BaL. Continuous treatment with L-689502 drastically inhibited virus production in a dose dependent manner in the range of 10-200 Nm, in some cases by more than 1000-fold, compared to untreated cells. Since liposomes can be targeted to macrophages in vivo. The inhibitor encapsulated in multilamellar liposomes was more effective than the free drug in inhibiting virus production macrophages, throughout the concentration range studied. These studies indicate that liposomes can be used to facilitate the intracellular delivery of certain anti-HIV agents and to enhance their therapeutic effects.
taxol with or without hyperthermia in B16F 10 murine melanoma transplanted into C57BI/6 mice. Sharma et al. also investigated the use of polyvinylpyrrolidone liposomes containing taxol prepared by reverse micro-emulsion method. The size of liposomes was found to be 50-60 nm. The antitumor effect of taxol was evaluated in B16F10 murine melanoma transplanted in C57 B 1/6 mice. In vivo efficacy of taxol containing liposomes as measured by reduction in tumor volume and increased survival time was significantly greater than that of an equivalent concentration of free taxol.
Konduri et al. performed comparative study of budesonide encapsulated in liposomes with free budesonide therapy in reducing allergic inflammation. Weekly therapy with budesonide encapsulated in liposomes was found as effective as daily budesonide therapy in decreasing lung inflammation and lowering eosinophil peroxidase activity, peripheral blood eosinophils and total serum IgE levels. This novel strategy offers an effective alterative to standard daily budesonide therapy in asthma and has the potential to reduce toxicity and improve compliance. In Chandigarh lung specific liposomes was developed and investigated in animal models of tuberculosis. Liposomes tagged with O. stearlylamylopectin (O-SAP) resulted in increased affinity towards lung tissue of mice. Liposomes containing egg phosphatidylcholine cholesterol dicetylphosphate, O-SAP, monosialo-ganglioside (GMI)/DSPE PEG 2000 were found to be more stable in serum. These liposomes accumulated more in lungs than in reticulo endothelial system of normal and tuberculosis mice.
with liposomal forms of other local anesthetic agents, e.g. lidocaine, dibucaine and benzocaine. Graysan et al. tested gentamycin encapsulating multivesicular liposomes (DepoForm) as a prophylactic anti-infective treatment for surgical wounds. The liposomal formulation was injected subcutaneously to provide local depots and was challenged 48 hr later by a bacterial inoculum, also injected subcutaneously to the same location. Evaluation of bioburden reduction 48 hr later showed that the liposomal formulation was significantly superior to empty liposomes and saline. Brown et al. have tested liposomes as a growth factor delivery system for the topical treatment of incisional wounds in mice. An interesting dual carrier system was devised in which insulin, serving as an intra liposomal carrier was first complexed with EGF (Epidermal growth factor), then the insulin-EGF complex was encapsulated within liposomes. The liposomal formulation provided a transient increase in tensile strength, compared with empty loposomes or saline. Combined with exceptionally high intraliposomal retention of the EGF reported in this study, it could be that the internal carrier induced a sustained release that was too slow for effective therapy. Margalit et al. examined the response of infected wounds to treatment with cefazolinencapsulating bioadhesive liposomes were studied in full thickness wounds in mice infected with staphylococcus aureus. After 3 days treatment, the wound bacterial counts after 3 days treatment with 1 mg of cefazolin in the bioadhesive liposomes (80 % encapsulated) were down 100-fold from untreated controls, to the colonization infection boundary. Although all these studies can be taken as encouragement for exploring liposomes as drug delivery systems for topical treatment of wounds and burns. According the patent literature almost every kind of active ingredient might be suitable to be encapsulated in topical liposomes (DermosomeTM, InovitaTM). However, among the great variety of candidates, e.g. antibiotics, antifungal, disinfectant, immunosuppressive agents, several hydrophilic and hydrophobic peptides are available in market as liposomal preparation. Liposomes based anti-ageing topical formulations (creams, lotions, gels and hydrogels) have been formulated launched in cosmetic market in 1986 by LOreal in the form of niosomes and then by Christian Dior in the form of liposomes (CaptureTM). Currently, various liposome based formulations for facial and body care, make-up, mascara and foundations as well as hair care, self tanning and sun screen products and even perfumes are being launched in cosmetic market.
institute, Switzerland known as Epaxal Berna Vaccine is an IRIV vaccine. IRIVs are spherical unilamellar vesicles with a mean diameter of -150 nm. IRIVs are prepared by detergent removal of influenza surface glycoprotein and a mixture of natural and synthetic phospholipids containing 70 % egg yolk phosphatidylcholine, 20 % synthetic PE and 10 % envelope phospholipids originating from HINI influenza virus. Fusogenic liposomes are specially engineered liposomes that fuse and merge with cell membranes and directly introduce molecules into cytoplasm thus avoiding the route followed by conventional liposomes. The fusogenic liposomes mimic the way by which several viruses (HIV, Sendai virus) bind and merge with cell membrane at neutral pH and subsequently release their genome into cytoplasm. Fusion spike glycoprotein of Sendai virus, rabies virus, meales virus, influenza virus, herpes virus, HIV-1 and vesicular stomatitis virus have been incorporated in liposome and these virosomes have been investigated for their imunoadjuvant, gene and oligonucleotide delivery potentials. Very recently, De Jonge et al. demonstrated that small-interfering RNA (siRNA), encapsulated in virosomes, are able to downregulate the synthesis of newly induced and consitutively expressed proteins, overcoming the lack of suitable delivery methods for these molecules. Moreover the authors show that intraperitoneal injection of siRNA loaded virosomes resulted in delivery of the nucleotides to cell in the peritoneal cavity. Immunoassays such as ELISA, RIA or LILA are based on the selective interaction of an analyte antigen with corresponding antibodies. Liposomes can be useful analytical reagents as they can encapsulate upto a million mrkers and can therefore, serve as signal amplifiers. Liposome is well recognized as a model membrane and its lytic ability inculcated through various lytic agents such as complement led to the development of an efficient assay system known as liposome innume lysis assay (LILA). The marker could be a fluorescent dye such as carboxyfluorescein, calcein or some markers that could be monitored enzymatically. LILA assay has been implicated in the detection of serum components such as -fetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen, C-reactive protein and other serum proteins, which serve as diagnostic tools especially for cancer.
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Miscellenous Application
Nabar et al. studied the effect of size and charge of liposome in the bio-distribution of 99m TC-DTPA encapsulated in liposome after intravenous injection in rats. They observed that multilamellar vesicles (MLV) were taken up to a greater extent as compared to SUVs in liver spleen and lungs. Positively charged MLVs than negative or neutral ones, were taken up more in liver, positively charged SUVs were taken up more in kidneys and neutral MLVs were taken up more in lungs than charged ones. An attempt was made to improve stability of liposome by coupling the drug with the lipid bilayer using a cross linking agent. Soya phosphatidylcholine (SPC) containing liposomes were prepared by calcium induced fusion method. Positively charged stearylamine was introduced in the bilayer. The liposomes were coupled to entrapped ibuprofen by EDAC (1-ethyl 3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide HCI) and the coupling was confirmed by UV spectrum. It was observed that EDAC in SPC containing stearylamine liposomes retarded the release of ibuprofen significantly. In albino rats, the various factors affecting systemic absorption of nasally applied gentamycin sulphate using in situ nasal perfusion technique was studied by Martin et al. Tween 80 which is a surfactant increases permeation by altering membrane structure and permeability. In this study Tween 80 upto 1% W/V concentrations, increased permeability. Betacyclodextrin at 0.25% W/V concentration, another permeability enhancer was found to significantly increase permeability initially but was found to plateau off later on. However both these permeability enhancer were found to decrease stability and potency of gentamycin. Jain et al. developed dopamine hydrochloride bearing positively charged small liposomes by sonicating multilamellar vesicles and studied their physical attributes and drug leakage and release pattern. In vivo performance was assessed by periodic measurement of chlorpromazine induced catatonia in Sprague Dawley rats and was compared with plain dopamine hydrochloride, dopamine levodopa and carbidopa. The studies showed that dopamine can be effectively delivered into the brain and its degradation in circulation can be prevented by incorporating it into liposomes. Tsuchida et al. reported that the aggregation and fusion of hemoglobin vesicles (Hb-vesicles) and the leakage on long-term storage can be prevented by using either polymerized phospholipids or polyphospholipids or by introduction of oligosaccharides type of glycolipid in the bilayer membrane. Recent studies suggest that the sterically stabilized liposome bearing haemoglobin (PEG-PE-LEH) are even better than LEH as artificial blood substitutes as they manifest less toxicity, less platelet and aggregation and less haemoststic generation.
a. Proliposomes Proliposomes are the products which are mixed with water phase containing drug before use, liposomes formed automatically and load the drug. Three different types of proliposomes are formulated. b. Dry granular liposomes Dry, free flowing granular product, which can be hydrated immediately before use. Composed of water soluble porous powder coated with drug and lipids. Dry granular type of liposomes has been studied for effective delivery of various drugs like 5-fluorourasil, ibuprofen, indomethacin, adriamycin, doxorubicin, glyburide, and hydrocortisone.
c. Mixed micellar proliposomes Mixed micelles contain bile salts, cholesterol, and phospholipids, which upon dilution, undergo micelles to vesicle transition to form liposomes. Liquid crystalline proliposomes. Involves organization of lipid/ethanol/water mixture into lamellar structure. d. Protransferosomes Protransferosomes are proultraflexible vesicles, which can be converted into ultraflexible vesicles. Characterization of provesicular system Morphology. Angle of repose. Size and size distribution. Rate of hydration. Entrapment efficiency. Degree of deformability and permeability measurement. In vitro release rate. In vivo fate and pharmacokinetic.
2. Lipopolyplexes
A combination of DNA, polymers and liposomes has been prepared with a view to enhance transfection ability by utilization of their individual properties. It has been reported that this method has resulted in better gene transfer and lower toxicity as compare to cationic liposomes alone.
3. Transferosomes
Modified liposomes developed to increase the transdermal permeation of drug. Deformability is achieved by using surface active agent in proper ratio. Concentration of surfactant is very crucial because at sublytic conc. This agent provides flexibility of transferosomal membrane and at higher conc. and cause destruction of vesicles. Page 32
4. Ethosomes
Ethosomal system is a vesicular system composed mainly of phospholipids & alcohol (ethanol or IPA, sometimes polyols; glycol) in relatively high concentration & water. Better membrane permeability.
5. Discosomes
Small et al first observed discoidal mixed micelle in phase behavior of PC in cholatewater system.
6. Virosomes
Reconstituted lipid vesicles equipped with viral glycoprotein is used for DNA transfer.
7. Emulsomes
New generation colloidal drug carrier unit. The emulsomes can be explicitly distinguished from fat emulsion or lipid microsphere as they are distinctively sphere vesicular graft like system due to utilization of higher quantities of PC both as emulsifying agent as well as surface modifier.
8. Cochleates
Cochleates are cigar-like microstructures that consist of a series of lipid bilayers which are formed as a result of the condensation of small unilamellar negatively charged liposomes. In the presence of calcium, the small phosphatidylserine (PS) liposomes fuse and form large sheets. These sheets have hydrophobic surfaces and, in order to minimize their interactions with water, tend to roll-up into the cigar-like cochleate. Discovered in 1975 by Dr. D. Papahadjoupoulos.
9. Depofoam technology
Depofoam particles include hundred of bilayer enclosed aqueous compound. Formed by first emulsifying a mixture of an aqueous phase containing the compound to be encapsulated & an organic phase containing lipid. The first emulsion is then dispersed & emulsified in a 2nd aqueous phase. Page 33
After the organic solvent is evaporated, numerous submicron to micrometer sized water compartment are separated by lipid layer & take on a closed packed polyhedral structure From which the comp slowly permeate.
Marketed Drug used product DoxilTM or Doxorubicin TM Caelyx DaunoXomeTM Daunorubicin AmphotecTM Fungizone VENTUSTM ALECTM
Kaposis sarcoma, breast NeXstar, USA & lung cancer Amphotericin-B fungal infections, SEQUUS, USA Leishmaniasis Amphotericin-B fungal infections, Bristol-squibb, Netherland Leishmaniasis Prostaglandin-E1 Systemic inflammatory The liposome company, USA diseases Dry protein free Expanding lung diseases Britannia Pharm, UK powder of in babies DPPC-PG Page 34
Terbutaline Asthma Ozone, USA sulphate Depocyt Cytarabine Cancer therapy Skye Pharm, USA Novasome Smallpox Smallpox Novavax, USA vaccine Avian retrovirus Killed avian Chicken pox Vineland lab, USA vaccine retrovirus Epaxal Berna Inactivated Hepatitis A Swiss serum & vaccine Vaccine hepatitis-A institute, Switzerland Virions Doxil Doxorubicin Hcl Refractory ovarian cancer ALZA, USA EvacetTM Doxorubicin Metastatic breast cancer The liposome company, USA VincaXome Vincristine Solid Tumours NeXstar, USA Mikasome Amikacin Bacterial infection NeXstar, USA TM Autragen Tretinoin Kaposis sarcoma Aronex Pharm, USA Shigella Flexneri Shigella flexneri Shigella Flexneri 2A Novavax, USA 2A Vaccine 2A infections TM Nyotran Nystatin Systemic fungal Aronex Pharm, USA infections
CONCLUSION
Liposomes are one of the unique drug delivery system, which can be of potential use in controlling and targeting drug delivery. Liposomes are administrated orally, parenterally and topically as well as used in cosmetic and hair technologies, sustained release formulations, diagnostic purpose and as good carriers in gene delivery. One major problem associated in the formulation of liposome due to physicochemical and biological instability. These stability problems can be alleviated by using various methods like lyophilization, proliposome, pH sensitive liposome, microencapsulation and steric stabilization. Now a days liposomes are used as versatile carriers for targeted delivery of drug.
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1. Sanjay K. Jain and N. K. Jain, Controlled and Novel Drug Delivery Systems Chapter 15: Liposomes as drug carriers published by CBS publishers & distributors, reprint: 2002, pg. 304-352. 2. www.pharmainfo.com (Sanjay S. Patel, Liposomes: A versatile platform for targeted delivery of drugs, volume 4. Issue 5, 2006) 3. http.//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/liposomes 4. Gert Storm, et al., Liposomes: Quo vadis?, Pharm. Sci. Tech. Today 1 (1998) 19-31. 5. D.J.A. Crommelin, et al., Liposomes: vesicles for the targeted and controlled delivery of peptides and proteins, J. Control. Release 46 (1997) 165-175. 6. Andreas Wagner, et al., Liposomes produced in a pilot scale: Producton, Purification and efficiency aspects, Eur. J. Pharm. Biopharm. 54 (2002) 213-219. 7. Sugi S. Chrai, et al., Liposomes, part II: drug delivery systems, Pharm. Technol. Europe (February 2003) 53-56. 8. Jessy Shaji, et al., Immunoliposomes: targeted delivery for cancer, Pharma Times 39 (2007) 17-20. 9. Gregoriaadis G, Liposomes in drug delivery: clinical, diagnosticand ophthalmic potential, Drugs 45 (1993) 15-28.
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