Studies on liposome-encapsulated heparin

Filgrastim (G-CSF) loaded liposomes: mathematical modeling and optimization of encapsulation efficiency and particle size

Introduction: Optimization of filgrastim (G-CSF) (granulocyte colony stimulating factor) liposomes formulation prepared by the method of film hydration was the aim of this research.

Methods: To study the independent variables effects in the development of filgrastim (G-CSF) liposomes, method of factorial design was applied. The molar ratio of dipalmitoyl phophatidylcholine (DPPC) per cholesterol (Chol.) and hydration time were chosen as two independent factors. The dependent variables were encapsulation efficiency percent (EE %) and particle size (PS). Ultrafiltration method was applied for separation of un-encapsulated protein. RP-HPLC method was employed for analysis of G-CSF.

Results: Application of response surface methodology (RSM) in formulation of filgrastim liposomes and the obtained results for responses including particle size and EE % showed that the main effective independent variable was DPPC/Chol molar ratio. Different impacts of influencing parameters including interaction and individual effects were checked employing a mathematical method for obtaining desired liposomes. Optimum liposomal formulations were established using this method for enhancing their characteristics. Average percent errors (APEs) were 3.86% and 3.27% for predicting EE % and PS, respectively which reflect high model ability in this regard.

Conclusion: It is concluded that observed and predicted values regarding PS and EE % were consistent and this model is efficient enough in prediction of the mentioned characteristics while preparing filgrastim (G-CSF) liposomes.

Development of subcutaneous sustained release nanoparticles encapsulating low molecular weight heparin

The objective of the present research work was to prepare and evaluate sustained release subcutaneous (s.c.) nanoparticles of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). The nanoparticles were prepared by water–in-oil in-water (w/o/w) emulsion and evaporation method using different grades of polylactide co-glycolide (50:50, 85:15), and different concentrations of polyvinyl alcohol (0.1%, 0.5%, 1%) aqueous solution as surfactant. The fabricated nanoparticles were evaluated for size, shape, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release, and in vivo biological activity (anti-factor Xa activity) using the standard kit. The drug and excipient compatibility was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The formation of nanoparticles was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy; nanoparticles were spherical in shape. The size of prepared nanoparticles was found between 195 nm and 251 nm. The encapsulation efficiency of the nanoparticles was found between 46% and 70%. In vitro drug, release was about 16–38% for 10 days. In vivo drug, release shows the sustained release of drug for 10 days in rats. FTIR studies indicated that there was no loss in chemical integrity of the drug upon fabrication into nanoparticles. DSC and XRD results demonstrated that the drug was changed from the crystalline form to the amorphous form in the formulation during the fabrication process. The results of this study revealed that the s.c. nanoparticles were suitable candidates for sustained delivery of LMWH.

Application of response surface methodology in development of sirolimus liposomes prepared by thin film hydration technique

Introduction : The present investigation was aimed to optimize the formulating process of sirolimus liposomes by thin film hydration method. Methods : In this study, a 3(2) factorial design method was used to investigate the influence of two independent variables in the preparation of sirolimus liposomes. The dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) /Cholesterol (Chol) and dioleoyl phosphoethanolamine(DOPE) /DPPC molar ratios were selected as the independent variables. Particle size (PS) and Encapsulation Efficiency (EE %) were selected as the dependent variables. To separate the un-encapsulated drug, dialysis method was used. Drug analysis was performed with a validated RP-HPLC method. Results : Using response surface methodology and based on the coefficient values obtained for independent variables in the regression equations, it was clear that the DPPC/Chol molar ratio was the major contributing variable in particle size and EE %. The use of a statistical approach allowed us to see individual and/or interaction effects of influencing parameters in order to obtain liposomes with desired properties and to determine the optimum experimental conditions that lead to the enhancement of characteristics. In the prediction of PS and EE % values, the average percent errors are found to be as 3.59 and 4.09%. This value is sufficiently low to confirm the high predictive power of model. Conclusion : Experimental results show that the observed responses were in close agreement with the predicted values and this demonstrates the reliability of the optimization procedure in prediction of PS and EE % in sirolimus liposomes preparation.

Enhancement of heparin and heparin disaccharide absorption by thePhytolacca americana saponins

We studied the effects of phytolaccosides, saponins from Phytolacca americana, on the intestinal absorption of heparin in vitro and in vivo. The absorption enhancing activity of these compounds (phytolaccosides B, D2, E, F, G and I) was determined by changes in transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and the transport amount of heparin disaccharide, the major repeating unit of heparin, across Caco-2 cell monolayers. With the exception of phytolaccoside G, all of them decreased TEER values and increased the permeability in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. In vitro, phytolaccosides B, D2, and E showed significant absorption enhancing activities, while effects by phytolaccoside F and I were mild. In vivo, phytolaccoside E increased the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and thrombin time, indicating that phytolaccoside E modulated the transport of heparin in intestinal route. Our results suggest that a series of phytolaccosides from Phytolacca americana can be applied as pharmaceutical excipients to improve the permeability of macromolecules and hydrophilic drugs having difficulty in absorption across the intestinal epithelium.

Effect of liposome-albumin coatings on ferric ion retention and release from chitosan beads

Ferric chloride was embedded in a chitosan matrix to develop a prolonged-release form. The in vitro release profiles of ferric ions from chitosan beads were monitored in 0.1 M Tris-HCl buffer, pH 7.4, using a UV spectrophotometer. The amount of drug release was much higher initially, followed by a constant slow release profile for a prolonged period. The initial burst release was substantially modified with liposome and albumin coatings. From scanning electron microscope studies, it appears that the ferric ions diffuse out slowly to the dissolution medium through the micropores of the chitosan matrix. Further, the liposome forms a phospholipid membrane layer in the pores of chitosan beads and encapsulates the ferric ions within their vesicles and controls the release profile. The chitosan beads loaded with ferric ions substantially inhibited the polyurethane-associated calcification, in an in vitro model system. The released ferric ions, appeared to alter the protein-surface binding and improved the biocompatibility of the matrix. The results propose the possibility of modifying the polymer matrix to obtain a desired controlled release of the drug for a prolonged period.

Chitosan--as a biomaterial

Chitosan [a (1----4) 2-amino-2-deoxy-beta-D-Glucan] is a unique polysaccharide derived from chitin. Several attempts have been made to use this biopolymer in biomedical field. The use of this material in the development of hemodialysis membranes, artificial skin, drug targetting and other applications are discussed. It appears, this novel biomolecule, biodegradable, and biocompatible, find applications in substituting or regenerating the blood/tissue interfaces. This polysaccharide having structural characteristics similar to glycosaminoglycans, seems to mimic their functional behaviour.

Metabolism of liposome-encapsulated heparin

In order to elucidate the metabolism of liposome encapsulated heparin (LIPO-HEP), LIPO-HEP containing 3H-heparin (3H-HEP) and/or 14C-phosphatidylcholine (14C-PC) was intravenously administered into rats and the radioactivity as well as the biological activity in plasma and certain organs was investigated. The amount of 3H-radioactivity in plasma was significantly higher in rats receiving LIPO-HEP than in those receiving untreated heparin. The amount of 14C-radioactivity in plasma of rats receiving LIPO-HEP, however, was not proportional to the amount of 3H-radioactivity in the same rats, indicating the dissociation of liposome and heparin in plasma. Incorporation of 3H-radioactivity into various organs examined, i.e., liver, spleen, lung, was significantly higher in rats receiving LIPO-HEP than in those receiving untreated heparin, e.g. 4.7 and 11.8 times higher in the liver and the spleen, respectively at 150 min after the injection. Thereby, in contrast to the untreated heparin, LIPO-HEP was selectively incorporated into the reticuloendothelial system (RES) and it may be suggested that prolonged biological activity in LIPO-HEP is due to a gradual release of heparin from the liposomes entrapped in RES, and that it is not due to prolonged circulation in blood.