Preparation and Characterization of Caffeine Loaded Liposome and Ethosome Formulations for Transungual Application

Interdigitation of lipids for vesosomal formulation of ergotamine tartrate with caffeine: a futuristic trend of intranasal route

OBJECTIVE

This research work aimed to form vesosomes using combination of two drugs ergotamine (ERG) and caffeine for synergistic activity when given intranasally resulting in faster absorption, steric stability, and controlled release.

SIGNIFICANCE

The multicompartment vesicles viz., vesosomes of ERG tartrate proved to increase absorption of drugs post-intranasal administration, bypassing the blood-brain barrier via the olfactory pathway.

METHODS

The phospholipids like soya lecithin, cholesterol, and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) were used to form a multicompartment structure called vesosomes using ethanol-induced interdigitation of lipids as the preparation method.

RESULTS

The formulation showed low particle size (PS) of 315.48 ± 14.27 nm with zeta potential (ZP) of -21.78 ± 4.72 mV, higher % EE of 91.13 ± 1.29%, and controlled release kinetics, when assessed for in-vitro and ex-vivo studies as 97.64 ± 5.13% and 82.25 ± 3.27% release, respectively. Vesosomes displayed several advantages over liposomes like improved stability against phospholipase-induced enzymatic degradation and higher brain uptake 3.41-fold increase of ERG via the olfactory pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

The stable vesosomes prepared using interdigitation of saturated phospholipids proved to be a viable option for ERG when administered intranasally for better absorption and bioavailability coupled with ease of administration gaining wider patient acceptance.

Methyl gallic acid entrapped ethosomal nano-vesicular system augments cytotoxicity against squamous cell carcinoma

Methylated gallic acid (MGA) is a potent anticancer biomolecular entity (BME). Loading MGA into a nano-vesicular (NV) drug delivery system using nanotechnology approaches can increase the efficiency of the drug and its release characteristics. This study aimed to develop an ethosomal nano-vesicular (ENV) system loaded with MGA that shows augmented entrapment efficiency, release rate, and cytotoxic potential against oral cancer. The ENV system was synthesized using Soy lecithin, ethanol, and propylene glycol. The ENV system's characterization (DLS, Zeta potential, TEM, FT-IR) with and without MGA was performed. The cytotoxicity evaluation of MGA alone compared to the MGA-loaded ENV system was performed against the squamous cell carcinoma-9 (SCC-9) cell line. The DLS and zeta potential analysis revealed the size of the ENV system as 58.2 nm and-43.5 mV charge, respectively. MGA loading to ENV system increased size to 63 nm and decreased charge to -2.8 mV. Peaks of FTIR analysis confirmed the encapsulation of MGA in the ENV system. TEM studies revealed the spherical surface morphology of the MGA-loaded ENV system. Compared with conventional MGA alone administration, ENV loaded with MGA showed better drug absorption and bioavailability in vitro. Furthermore, the entrapment efficiency, in vitro drug release, and cytotoxicity results firmly establish the improved therapeutic potential of ENV loaded with MGA against oral cancer cells than MGA alone.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03652-6.

Ethosomes as dermal/transdermal drug delivery systems: applications, preparation and characterization

Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDSs) have gained substantial attention during the last decade. TDDS are versatile delivery systems in which active components are delivered to skin for local effects or systemic delivery of active pharmaceutical through the skin. Overcoming stratum corneum is the most challenging step of delivering drugs through the skin. Lipid-based vesicular delivery systems due to the capability of the delivery of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs are becoming more popular during the recent years. Ethosomes are innovative, biocompatible, biodegradable and non-toxic form of lipid-based vesicles that efficiently enable to entrap drugs of various physicochemical properties. These are other forms of liposome which contain high amounts of ethanol in their structure that enabling ethosomes to efficiently penetrate through deeper layers of skin. Ethosomes have various compositions based on their type but are mainly composed of phospholipids, ethanol, water and the active components. Ethosomes are easily manufactured and they are superior compared to liposomes in terms of different aspects due to the presence of ethanol. The purpose of this review is to thoroughly focus on various aspects of ethosomes, including mechanism of penetration, advantages and disadvantages, characterisation and applications.

Interaction of Caffeine with Model Lipid Membranes

Caffeine is not only a widely consumed active stimulant, but it is also a model molecule commonly used in pharmaceutical sciences. In this work, by performing quartz-crystal microbalance and neutron reflectometry experiments we investigate the interaction of caffeine molecules with a model lipid membrane. We determined that caffeine molecules are not able to spontaneously partition from an aqueous environment, enriched in caffeine, into a bilayer. Caffeine could be however included in solid-supported lipid bilayers if present with lipids during self-assembly. In this case, thanks to surface-sensitive techniques, we determined that caffeine molecules are preferentially located in the hydrophobic region of the membrane. These results are highly relevant for the development of new drug delivery vectors, as well as for a deeper understanding of the membrane permeation role of purine molecules.

Vesicular drug delivery for the treatment of topical disorders: current and future perspectives

OBJECTIVES

Vesicular drug delivery has become a useful approach for therapeutic administration of pharmaceutical compounds. Lipid vesicles have found application in membrane biology, immunology, genetic engineering and theragnostics. This review summarizes topical delivery, specifically dermal/transdermal, ocular and transungual, via these vesicles, including future formulation perspectives.

KEY FINDINGS

Liposomes and their subsequent derivatives, viz. niosomes, transferosomes, pharmacososmes and ethosomes, form a significant part of vesicular systems that have been successfully utilized in treating an array of topical disorders. These vesicles are thought to be a safe and effective mode of improving the delivery of lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs.

SUMMARY

Several drug molecules are available for topical disorders. However, physicochemical properties and undesirable toxicity have limited their efficacy. Vesicular delivery systems have the potential to overcome these shortcomings due to properties such as high biocompatibility, simplicity of surface modification and suitability as controlled delivery vehicles. However, incorporating these systems into environmentally responsive dispersants such as hydrogels, ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents may further enhance therapeutic prowess of these delivery systems. Consequently, improved vesicular drug delivery can be achieved by considering combining some of these formulation approaches.

Development of cysteamine loaded liposomes in liquid and dried forms for improvement of cysteamine stability

Despite the high aqueous solubility of cysteamine, its unpleasant organoleptic properties, hygroscopicity, instability in solutions, and poor pharmacokinetic profile are the main drawbacks that limit its use for medical and cosmetic purposes. In this study, cysteamine-loaded liposomes were prepared using the ethanol injection method. Liposomes were characterized for their size, homogeneity, surface charge, and morphology. The incorporation ratios of cholesterol and phospholipids, the encapsulation efficiency and the loading ratio of cysteamine in liposomes were determined. Moreover, the stability of free and encapsulated cysteamine was assessed at different temperatures (4, 25, and 37 °C) in the presence and absence of light. Cysteamine-loaded liposomes were freeze-dried and reconstituted liposomes were characterized. Finally, the storage stability of the freeze-dried cysteamine-loaded liposomes was studied. Liposomes were nanometric, oligolamellar, and spherical. The encapsulation efficiency and the loading ratio of cysteamine varied between 12 and 40% in the different formulations. The encapsulation improved the stability of cysteamine in the various storage conditions. The dried form of cysteamine-loaded liposomes conserved the size of the vesicles and retained 33% of cysteamine present in the liposomal suspension before lyophilization. The freeze-dried liposomes formulations were stable after four months of storage at 4 °C.