Selective induction of apoptosis in MCF7 cancer-cell by targeted liposomes functionalised with mannose-6-phosphate

Cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor: From roles and functions to targeted therapies

The cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor (CI-M6PR) is a ubiquitous transmembrane receptor whose main intracellular role is to direct enzymes carrying mannose 6-phosphate moieties to lysosomal compartments. Recently, the small membrane-bound portion of this receptor has appeared to be implicated in numerous pathophysiological processes. This review presents an overview of the main ligand partners and the roles of CI-M6PR in lysosomal storage diseases, neurology, immunology and cancer fields. Moreover, this membrane receptor has already been noted for its strong potential in therapeutic applications thanks to its cellular internalization activity and its ability to address pathogenic factors to lysosomes for degradation. A number of therapeutic delivery approaches using CI-M6PR, in particular with enzymes, antibodies or nanoparticles, are currently being proposed.

Recent advances in drug delivery systems for targeting brain tumors

Brain tumor accounts for about 1.6% of incidence and 2.5% of mortality of all tumors, and the median survival for brain tumor patients is only about 20 months. The treatment for brain tumor still faces many challenges, such as the blood-brain barrier (BBB), blood-brain tumor barrier (BBTB), the overexpressed efflux pumps, the infiltration, invasion, high heterogeneity of tumor cells, drug resistance and immune escape caused by tumor microenvironment (TME) and cancer stem cells (CSC). This review attempts to clarify the challenges for multi-functional nano drug delivery systems (NDDS) to cross the BBB and target the cancer cells or organelles, and also provides a brief description of the different types of targeted multi-functional NDDS that have shown potential for success in delivering drugs to the brain. Further, this review also summarizes the research progress of multi-functional NDDS in the combination therapy of brain tumors from the following sections, the combination of chemotherapy drugs, chemotherapy-chemodynamic combination therapy, chemotherapy-immunization combination therapy, and chemotherapy-gene combination therapy. We also provide an insight into the recent advances in designing multi-functional NDDS for combination therapy.

Glycosylation shapes the efficacy and safety of diverse protein, gene and cell therapies

Over recent decades, therapeutic proteins have had widespread success in treating a myriad of diseases. Glycosylation, a near universal feature of this class of drugs, is a critical quality attribute that significantly influences the physical properties, safety profile and biological activity of therapeutic proteins. Optimizing protein glycosylation, therefore, offers an important avenue to developing more efficacious therapies. In this review, we discuss specific examples of how variations in glycan structure and glycoengineering impacts the stability, safety, and clinical efficacy of protein-based drugs that are already in the market as well as those that are still in preclinical development. We also highlight the impact of glycosylation on next generation biologics such as T cell-based cancer therapy and gene therapy.

Challenges and emerging strategies for next generation liposomal based drug delivery: An account of the breast cancer conundrum

The global cancer burden is witnessing an upsurge with breast cancer surpassing other cancers worldwide. Furthermore, an escalation in the breast cancer caseload is also expected in the coming years. The conventional therapeutic regimens practiced routinely are associated with many drawbacks to which nanotechnological interventions offer a great advantage. But how eminent could liposomes and their advantages be in superseding these existing therapeutic modalities? A solution is reflected in this review that draws attention to a decade-long journey embarked upon by researchers in this wake. This text is a comprehensive discussion of liposomes, the front runners of the drug delivery systems, and their active and passive targeting approaches for breast cancer management. Active targeting has been studied over the decade by many receptors overexpressed on the breast cancer cells and passive targeting with many drug combinations. The results converge on the fact that the actively targeted formulations exhibit a superior efficacy over their non-targeted counterparts and the all liposomal formulations are efficacious over the free drugs. This undoubtedly underlines the dominion of liposomal formulations over conventional chemotherapy. These investigations have led to the development of different liposomal formulations with active and passive targeting capacities that could be explored in depth. Acknowledging and getting a deeper insight into the liposomal evolution through time also unveiled many imperfections and unchartered territories that can be explored to deliver dexterous liposomal formulations against breast cancer and more in the clinical trial pipeline.

Glycyrrhetinic acid proliposomes mediated by mannosylated ligand: Preparation, physicochemical characterization, environmental stability and bioactivity evaluation

Glycyrrhetinic acid is a bioactive compound extracted from licorice that exhibits inhibition effect on various cancers. However, its hydrophobicity results in low bioavailability that limits application. We aim to overcome this barrier, the present research was performed to prepare glycyrrhetinic acid proliposomes mediated mannosylated ligand (mannose-diester lauric diacid-cholesterol, MDC) and to evaluate its physicochemical characterizations, environmental stability and bioactivity. In preliminary optimization studies of glycyrrhetinic acid proliposomes mediated MDC (MDC-GA-PL), four optimum operating parameters, cryoprotectant of glucose and mannitol, the mixed cryoprotectant ratio (glucose/mannitol) of 1:1, a cryoprotectant/egg phosphatidylcholine mass ratio of 10/1, and -60 ℃ pre-freezing temperature, were obtained after investigation. Under the optimum lyophilization conditions, MDC-GA-PL was freeze-dried and reconstituted proliposomes were characterized. These proliposomes showed that MDC-GA-PL were well-dispersible spherical particles with an average particle size of 120.80 nm, a polydispersity index about 0.095, a zeta potential of -33.15 mV, encapsulation efficiency of 85.9% and drug loading of 6.38%. In vitro drug release study showed that glycyrrhetinic acid release of MDC-GA-PL conforms to the Higuchi release model. In addition, these proliposomes were stable during six months at 4 ℃. Moreover, acute toxicity assay revealed no substantial safety concern for MDC-GA-PL. Finally, in vitro bioactivity of proliposomes was evaluated. Cytotoxicity effect and apoptosis efficiency of MDC-GA-PL by HepG2 cells was significantly higher than that of glycyrrhetinic acid proliposomes without MDC, demonstrating that MDC has a desirable effect on liver target. Overall, we have reason to believe that MDC-GA-PL would be a promising target delivery to improve therapeutic against hepatic diseases.

Functionalized Liposome and Albumin-Based Systems as Carriers for Poorly Water-Soluble Anticancer Drugs: An Updated Review

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In the available treatments, chemotherapy is one of the most used, but has several associated problems, namely the high toxicity to normal cells and the resistance acquired by cancer cells to the therapeutic agents. The scientific community has been battling against this disease, developing new strategies and new potential chemotherapeutic agents. However, new drugs often exhibit poor solubility in water, which led researchers to develop functionalized nanosystems to carry and, specifically deliver, the drugs to cancer cells, targeting overexpressed receptors, proteins, and organelles. Thus, this review is focused on the recent developments of functionalized nanosystems used to carry poorly water-soluble drugs, with special emphasis on liposomes and albumin-based nanosystems, two major classes of organic nanocarriers with formulations already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cancer therapeutics.

Influence of a lipophilic edaravone on physical state and activity of antioxidant liposomes: An experimental and in silico study

The influence of a lipophilic derivative of Edaravone (C18Edv) on a POPC liposomal bilayer has been investigated by a combined computational-experimental approach. The order and hydration degree of three different systems composed by 10%, 20% and 40% in w/w percentage of C18Edv respect to POPC were investigated through Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations and fluorescence spectroscopy experiments. Dynamic Light Scattering measurements showed how the presence of different amounts of C18EdV determines differences on liposome size and stability. The survey revealed that the content of lipophilic antioxidant tunes liposome rigidity and influences cellular uptake and antioxidant activity which are maximized for formulation containing 20% of C18Edv.

Nanoencapsulation of Hirudo medicinalis proteins in liposomes as a nanocarrier for inhibiting angiogenesis through targeting VEGFA in the Breast cancer cell line (MCF-7)

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most serious cause of women’s death throughout the world. Using nanocarrier vehicles to the exact site of cancer upgrades the therapeutic efficiency of the drugs. Capsulation of active proteins in the vesicular liposomes’ hydrophilic core is essential to develop a therapeutic protein carrier system. We aimed to encapsulate the medicinal leech saliva extract (LSE) and assess the inhibition of angiogenesis of breast cancer cells by targeting vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA). Methods: In this research, enhanced formulation of liposomal protein was determined by zeta potential analysis, droplet size, drug release assay, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore, a cytotoxicity assay of liposomal LSE was performed to determine the cytotoxic activity of components. For assessing the expression of VEGFA, P53, and hypoxia-inducible factor subunit alpha (HIF1a) genes, Real-Time PCR was applied. Results: Nano liposome was chosen as an enhanced formulation due to its much smaller size (46.23 nm). Liposomal LSE had more practical actions on the MCF-7 cells. As noticed by DAPI staining, apoptosis was extensively greater in treated MCF-7 cells. Wound healing assay demonstrated that MCF-7 cells could not sustain growth at the presence of liposomal LSE and expression of the VEGFA gene was declined in treated cells. Downregulation of VEGFA was evaluated with western blotting technique. Conclusion: It can be concluded that our investigation of the tests confirmed the fact that nano liposomal LSE is a novel promising formulation for anticancer drugs and can significantly improve the penetration of protein drugs to cancer cells.

Dual-Targeting and Stimuli-Triggered Liposomal Drug Delivery in Cancer Treatment

The delivery of chemotherapeutics to solid tumors using smart drug delivery systems (SDDSs) takes advantage of the unique physiology of tumors (i.e., disordered structure, leaky vasculature, abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM), and limited lymphatic drainage) to deliver anticancer drugs with reduced systemic side effects. Liposomes are the most promising of such SDDSs and have been well investigated for cancer therapy. To improve the specificity, bioavailability, and anticancer efficacy of liposomes at the diseased sites, other strategies such as targeting ligands and stimulus-sensitive liposomes have been developed. This review highlights relevant surface functionalization techniques and stimuli-mediated drug release for enhanced delivery of anticancer agents at tumor sites, with a special focus on dual functionalization and design of multistimuli responsive liposomes.

Multivalent, Stabilized Mannose-6-Phosphates for the Targeted Delivery of Toll-Like Receptor Ligands and Peptide Antigens

Mannose-6-phosphate (M6P) is recognized by the mannose-6-phosphate receptor and plays an important role in the transport of cargo to the endosomes, making it an attractive tool to improve endosomal trafficking of vaccines. We describe herein the assembly of peptide antigen conjugates carrying clusters of mannose-6-C-phosphonates (M6Po). The M6Po's are stable M6P mimics that are resistant to cleavage of the phosphate group by endogenous phosphatases. Two different strategies for the incorporation of the M6Po clusters in the conjugate have been developed: the first relies on a "post-assembly" click approach employing an M6Po bearing an alkyne functionality; the second hinges on an M6Po C-glycoside amino acid building block that can be used in solid-phase peptide synthesis. The generated conjugates were further equipped with a TLR7 ligand to stimulate dendritic cell (DC) maturation. While antigen presentation is hindered by the presence of the M6Po clusters, the incorporation of the M6Po clusters leads to increased activation of DCs, thus demonstrating their potential in improving vaccine adjuvanticity by intraendosomally active TLR ligands.

Glycosylated Nanoparticles for Cancer-Targeted Drug Delivery

Nanoparticles (NPs) are novel platforms that can carry both cancer-targeting molecules and drugs to avoid severe side effects due to nonspecific drug delivery in standard chemotherapy treatments. Cancer cells are characterized by abnormal membranes, metabolic changes, the presence of lectin receptors, glucose transporters (GLUT) overexpression, and glycosylation of immune receptors of programmed death on cell surfaces. These characteristics have led to the development of several strategies for cancer therapy, including a large number of carbohydrate-modified NPs, which have become desirable for use in cell-selective drug delivery systems because they increase nanoparticle-cell interactions and uptake of carried drugs. Currently, the potential of NP glycosylation to enhance the safety and efficacy of carried therapeutic antitumor agents has been widely acknowledged, and much information is accumulating in this field. This review seeks to highlight recent advances in NP stabilization, toxicity reduction, and pharmacokinetic improvement and the promising potential of NP glycosylation from the perspective of molecular mechanisms described for drug delivery systems for cancer therapy. From preclinical proof-of-concept to demonstration of therapeutic value in the clinic, the challenges and opportunities presented by glycosylated NPs, with a focus on their applicability in the development of nanodrugs, are discussed in this review.

Amphiphilic mannose-6-phosphate glycopolypeptide-based bioactive and responsive self-assembled nanostructures for controlled and targeted lysosomal cargo delivery

Receptors of carbohydrate mannose-6-phosphate (M6P) are overexpressed in specific cancer cells (such as breast cancer) and are also involved in the trafficking of mannose-6-phosphate labeled proteins exclusively onto lysosomes via cell surface M6P receptor (CI-MPR) mediated endocytosis. Herein, for the first time, mannose-6-phosphate glycopolypeptide (^M6PGP)-based bioactive and stimuli-responsive nanocarriers are reported. They are selectively taken up via receptor-mediated endocytosis, and trafficked to lysosomes where they are subsequently degraded by pH or enzymes, leading to the release of the cargo inside the lysosomes. Two different amphiphilic M6P block copolymers ^M6PGP₁₅-^APPO₄₄ and ^M6PGP₁₅-(PCL₂₅)₂ were synthesized by click reaction of the alkyne end-functionalized ^M6PGP₁₅ with pH-responsive biocompatible azide end-functionalized acetal PPO and azide end-functionalized branched PCL, respectively. In water, the amphiphilic M6P-glycopolypeptide block copolymers self-assembled into micellar nanostructures, as was evidenced by DLS, TEM, AFM, and fluorescence spectroscopy techniques. These micellar systems were competent to encapsulate the hydrophobic dye rhodamine-B-octadecyl ester, which was used as the model drug. They were stable at physiological pH but were found to disassemble at acidic pH (for ^M6PGP₁₅-^APPO₄₄) or in the presence of esterase (for ^M6PGP₁₅-(PCL₂₅)₂). These ^M6PGP based micellar nanoparticles can selectively target lysosomes in cancerous cells such as MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. Finally, we demonstrate the clathrin-mediated endocytic pathway of the native FL-^M6PGP polymer and RBOE loaded ^M6PGP micellar-nanocarriers, and selective trafficking of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lysosomes, demonstrating their potential applicability toward receptor-mediated lysosomal cargo delivery.

Oxidative damage of lysosomes in regulated cell death systems: Pathophysiology and pharmacologic interventions

Lysosomes are small specialized organelles containing a variety of different hydrolase enzymes that are responsible for degradation of all macromolecules, entering the cells through the endosomal system or originated from the internal sources. This allows for transport and recycling of nutrients and internalization of surface proteins for antigen presentation as well as maintaining cellular homeostasis. Lysosomes are also important storage compartments for metal ions and nutrients. The integrity of lysosomal membrane is central to maintaining their normal function, but like other cellular membranes, lysosomal membrane is subject to damage mediated by reactive oxygen species. This results in spillage of lysosomal enzymes into the cytoplasm, leading to proteolytic damage to cellular systems and organelles. Several forms of lysosomal dependent cell death have been identified in diseases. Examination of these events are important for finding treatment strategies relevant to cancer or neurodegenerative diseases as well as autoimmune deficiencies. In this review, we have examined the current literature on involvement of lysosomes in induction of programed cell death and have provided an extensive list of therapeutic approaches that can modulate cell death. Exploitation of these mechanisms can lead to novel therapies for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Influences of different sugar ligands on targeted delivery of liposomes

Ligands are an important part of targeted drug delivery systems. Optimised lignads not only improve the target efficiency, but also enhance therapeutical effect of drugs. In our research, five sugar molecules (Mannose, Galactose, Glucose, Malt disaccharide, and Maltotriose) conjugated PEG₆₀₀-DSPE were synthesised, of which polysaccharides were first discovered by us as sugar ligands to modify liposomes, which interacts with over expressive GLUT on cancer cells. DiO was encapsulated as fluorescent probe to evaluate their cellular uptake abilities of targeting C6 glioma cells, and the distribution in different visceral organs of rats. The results demonstrated that Malt disaccharide and Glucose-PEG₆₀₀-DSPE had the strong efficiency of cellular uptake by C6 glioma cells. The distribution and accumulation of liposomes showed that different sugars modified liposomes could target different visceral organs in rats. It has provided a novel idea for ligand selectivity and optimisation of nanocarriers for tumour targeted therapy.

Axial pharmaceutical properties of liposome in cancer therapy: Recent advances and perspectives

Evaluation of axial properties including preparation, surface functionalization, and pharmacokinetics for delivery of pharmacologically active molecules and genes lead to pharmaceutical development of liposome in cancer therapy. Here, analysis of effects of the axial properties of liposome based on cancer treatment modalities as individually and coherently is vital and shows deserving further investigation for the future. In this review, recent progress in the analysis of preparation approaches, optimizing pharmacokinetic parameters, functionalization and targeting improvement and modulation of biological factors and components resulting in a better function of liposome in cancer for drug/gene delivery and immunotherapy are discussed. Here, recent developments on liposome with vaccines and immunoadjuvant carriers, and antigen-carrier system to cancer immunotherapy are introduced.

Monoalkylated Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (C18-EGCG) as Novel Lipophilic EGCG Derivative: Characterization and Antioxidant Evaluation

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has the highest antioxidant activity compared to the others catechins of green tea. However, the beneficial effects are mainly limited by its poor membrane permeability. A derivatization strategy to increase the EGCG interaction with lipid membranes is considered as one feasible approach to expand its application in lipophilic media, in particular the cellular absorption. At this purpose the hydrophilic EGCG was modified by inserting an aliphatic C18 chain linked to the gallate ring by an ethereal bond, the structure determined by NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) and confirmed by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the mono-alkylated EGCG (C18-EGCG) was studied by the DPPH and Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) assays, and its ability to protect cells towards oxidative stress was evaluated in Adult Retinal Pigmented Epithelium (ARPE-19) cells. Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation and liposomal/buffer partition were used to study the interaction of the modified and unmodified antioxidants with a cell membrane model: the combined experimental-in silico approach shed light on the higher affinity of C18-EGCG toward lipid bilayer. Although the DPPH assay stated that the functionalization decreases the EGCG activity against free radicals, from cellular experiments it resulted that the lipid moiety increases the antioxidant protection of the new lipophilic derivative.

Encapsulation of a Neutral Molecule into a Cationic Clay Material: Structural Insight and Cytotoxicity of Resveratrol/Layered Double Hydroxide/BSA Nanocomposites

Resveratrol (RES) is a stilbenoid polyphenol with interesting antitumor activity compromised by its poor solubility and bioavailability; thus, new approaches are necessary to improve its therapeutic effectiveness. In the present study, bovine serum albumin coated layered double hydroxide (LDH-BSA) was employed to encapsulate RES in order to overcome the above-mentioned usage limits. To evaluate the feasibility of neutral RES complexation with cationic LDH, we carried out molecular dynamics simulation in order to predict its structure and stability. In the supramolecular complex formed with LDH, RES disposes itself in the interlamellar region of LDH where it is stabilized by intermolecular interactions. The physico-chemical characteristics of the resulting nanocomplexes were studied by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The encapsulation efficiency and drug release studies were also performed. The combined experimental and computational approach were highly effective in giving insight into the interaction mode of the neutral RES with the charged LDH. Finally, the nanohybrid's anticancer ability was evaluated in human lung cancer cell line (A549) resulting in higher activity with respect to bare RES. Overall, the results showed that the nanocomposites are suitable for biomedical applications as delivery agents of RES.

Synthesis, Characterization and Antioxidant Properties of a New Lipophilic Derivative of Edaravone

As part of a program aimed to obtain antioxidants able to interact with cell membrane, edaravone (EdV, 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one), a well-known free radical scavenger, has been modified by alkylation at its allylic position (4) with a C-18 hydrocarbon chain, and the increased lipophilicity has been determined towards the interaction with liposomes. The obtained derivative has been studied by means of density functional theory (DFT) methods in order to characterize its lowest energy conformers and predict its antioxidant properties with respect to the parent compound EdV. The in vitro antioxidant activity of C18-edaravone was studied by means of the α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and in lipid peroxidation experiments performed on artificial lipid membranes using water-soluble as well as lipid-soluble radical initiators. Moreover, since oxidative stress is involved in numerous retinal degenerative diseases, the ability of C18-edaravone to contrast 2,2-azobis (2-amidinopropane hydrochloride) (AAPH)-induced cell death was assessed in adult retinal pigmented epithelium (ARPE-19) cells. Overall, the results demonstrated that the newly synthesized molecule has a high affinity for lipid membrane, increasing the efficacy of the unmodified edaravone under stress conditions.

A Poloxamer-407 modified liposome encapsulating epigallocatechin-3-gallate in the presence of magnesium: Characterization and protective effect against oxidative damage

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a polyphenolic catechin from green tea, well known for being bioactive in age-associated pathologies where oxidative stress plays a preeminent role. The activity of this molecule is however contrasted by its high chemical and metabolic instability that determines a poor concentration of the antioxidant within the biological system after administration. In order to protect the molecule and increase its delivery efficiency, we have encapsulated EGCG inside anionic liposomes made of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine and cholesteryl hemisuccinate. To maximize EGCG internalization, magnesium salt was added in the preparation. However stable nanodispersions suitable for drug delivery were obtained only after treatment with Poloxamer-407, a polyethylene-propylene glycol copolymer. The structural and morphological properties of the produced dispersion were studied by X-ray diffraction, which showed a multilamellar structure even after EGCG addition and an ordering effect of Poloxamer-407; Dynamic Light Scattering demonstrated serum stability of the liposomes. The characterization was completed by evaluating both encapsulation efficiency (100%, in the final formulation) and in vitro EGCG release. Since oxidative stress is involved in numerous retinal degenerative diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, the ability of these liposomes to contrast H₂O₂-induced cell death was assessed in human retinal cells. Morphological changes at the subcellular level were analyzed by Transmission Electron Microscopy, which showed that mitochondria were better preserved in cells treated with liposomes then those treated with free EGCG. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that the produced formulation enhances the efficacy of EGCG under stress conditions, thus representing a potential formulation for the intracellular delivery of EGCG in diseases caused by oxidative damage.

Mannose and Mannose-6-Phosphate Receptor-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems and Their Application in Cancer Therapy

In order to overcome the main disadvantages of conventional cancer therapies, which prove to be inadequate because of their lack of selectivity, the development of targeted delivery systems is one of the main focuses in anticancer research. It is repeatedly shown that decorating the surface of nanocarriers with high-affinity targeting ligands, such as peptides or small molecules, is an effective way to selectively deliver therapeutics by enhancing their specific cellular uptake via the binding between a specific receptor and the nanosystems. Nowadays, the need of finding new potential biological targets with a high endocytic efficiency as well as a low tendency to mutate is urgent and, in this context, mannose and mannose-6-phosphate receptors appear promising to target anticancer drugs to cells where their expression is upregulated. Moreover, they open the path to encouraging applications in immune-based and gene therapies as well as in theragnostic purposes. In this work, the potential of mannose- and mannose-6-phosphate-targeted delivery systems in cancer therapy is discussed, emphasizing their broad application both in direct treatments against cancer cells with conventional chemotherapeutics or by gene therapy and also their encouraging capabilities in immunotherapy and diagnostics purposes.

Liposomal Formulations for an Efficient Encapsulation of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate: An in- Silico/Experimental Approach

As a part of research project aimed to optimize antioxidant delivery, here we studied the influence of both salts and lipid matrix composition on the interaction of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) with bilayer leaflets. Thus, we combined in silico and experimental methods to study the ability of neutral and anionic vesicles to encapsulate EGCG in the presence of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ divalent salts. Experimental and in silico results show a very high correlation, thus confirming the efficiency of the developed methodology. In particular, we found out that the presence of calcium ions hinders the insertion of EGCG in the liposome bilayer in both neutral and anionic systems. On the contrary, the presence of MgCl₂ improves the insertion degree of EGCG molecules respect to the liposomes without divalent salts. The best and most efficient salt concentration is that corresponding to a 5:1 molar ratio between Mg²⁺ and EGCG, in both neutral and anionic vesicles. Concerning the lipid matrix composition, the anionic one results in better promotion of the catechin insertion within the bilayer since experimentally we achieved 100% EGCG encapsulation in the lipid carrier in the presence of a 5:1 molar ratio of magnesium. Thus, the combination of this anionic liposomal formulation with magnesium chloride, avoids time-consuming separation steps of unentrapped active principle and appears particularly suitable for EGCG delivery applications.