[A review on the influences of size and surface charge of liposome on its targeted drug delivery in vivo].

Liposomes can be cleared by the reticuloendothelial system (RES) when it is in the blood circulation in the body. And they can accumulate in the organs rich in RES in the body by passive targeting. Targeting of the liposomes is an important factor for its use as a drug carrier, and particle size as well as surface charge are important for its in vivo targeting. In this paper, studies on the influences of particle size and surface charge of the liposomes on cell binding and phagocytosis mechanism were reviewed. A comprehensive review on passive targeting effect of the particle size and surface charge of liposomes on blood, liver, spleen as well as tumor tissue was made. At last, an outlook for future research directions was made.

Preparation, characterization, and efficacy of thermosensitive liposomes containing paclitaxel.

To increase the anti-tumor activity of paclitaxel (PTX), novel temperature-sensitive liposomes loading paclitaxel (PTX-TSL) were developed. In vitro, characteristics of PTX-TSL were evaluated. The mean particle diameter was about 100 nm, and the entrapment efficiency was larger than 95%. The phase-transition temperature of PTX-TSL determined by differential scanning calorimetry was about 42 °C. The result of in vitro drug release from PTX-TSL illustrated that release rate at 37 °C was obviously lower than that at 42 °C. Stability data indicated that the liposome was physically and chemically stable for at least 3 months at -20 °C. In vivo study, after three injections with hyperthermia in the xenograft lung tumor model, PTX-TSL showed distinguished tumor growth suppression, compared with non-temperature-sensitive liposome and free drug. The results of intratumoral drug concentration indicated that PTX-TSL combined with hyperthermia delivered more paxlitaxel into the tumor location than the other two paxlitaxel formulations. In summary, PTX-TSL combined with hyperthermia significantly inhibited tumor growth, due to the increased targeting efficiency of PTX to tumor tissues. Such approach may enhance the delivery efficiency of chemotherapeutics into solid tumors.

Preparation, characterization, and pharmacodynamics of thermosensitive liposomes containing docetaxel.

A novel thermosensitive liposome (TL) containing docetaxel (DTX) was designed to enhance DTX-targeted delivery and antitumor effect. TL loading DTX (DTX-TL) were prepared by thin film hydration. The mean particle size of the liposomes was about 100 nm, and the drug entrapment efficiency was more than 95%. The phase transition temperature of liposomes was about 42 °C. In vitro drug release showed that drug released at 37 °C was obviously less than that at 42 °C. For in vivo experiments, the human breast tumor model was established by subcutaneous xenotransplantation on nude mice; liposomes and injection containing DTX were injected i.v. in nude mice, followed by exposure of the tumors to hyperthermia (HT) for 30 min after administration. The tumor inhibition ratio of DTX-TL group was significantly higher than the normal injection group. Combining TL with HT enhanced the delivery of DTX and thereby its antitumor effects. The liposomes reported in this paper could potentially produce viable clinical strategies for improved targeting and delivery of DTX for the treatment of breast cancer.

Preparation and physicochemical characteristics of polylactide microspheres of emamectin benzoate by modified solvent evaporation/extraction method.

Emamectin benzoate is highly effective against insect pests and widely used in the world. However, its biological activity is limited because of high resistance of target insects and rapid degradation speed in fields. Preparation and physicochemical characterization of degradable microcapsules of emamectin benzoate were studied by modified solvent evaporation/extraction method using polylactide (PLA) as wall material. The influence of different compositions of the solvent in internal organic phase and external aqueous phase on diameter, span, pesticide loading, and entrapment rate of the microspheres was investigated. The results indicated that the process of solvent extraction and the formation of the microcapsules would be accelerated by adding water-miscible organic solvents such as ethyl ether, acetone, ethyl acetate, or n-butanol into internal organic phase and external aqueous phase. Accelerated formation of the microcapsules would result in entrapment rates of emamectin benzoate increased to as high as 97%. In addition, by adding ethanol into the external aqueous phase, diameters would reduce to 6.28 µm, whereas the loading efficiency of emamectin benzoate did not increase. The PLA microspheres prepared under optimum conditions were smoother and more spherical. The degradation rate in PLA microspheres of emamectin benzoate on the 10th day was 4.29 ± 0.74%, whereas the degradation rates of emamectin benzoate in methanol solution and solid technical material were 46.3 ± 2.11 and 22.7 ± 1.51%, respectively. The PLA skeleton had combined with emamectin benzoate in an amorphous or molecular state by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) determination. The results indicated that PLA microspheres of emamectin benzoate with high entrapment rate, loading efficiency, and physicochemical characteristics could be obtained by adding water-miscible organic solvents into the internal organic phase and external aqueous phase.