Preparation, characterization and in vivo studies of proliposomes containing Cyclosporine A

The present study was undertaken to prepare proliposomes of Cyclosporine A (CsA) to increase its oral bioavailability. The proliposomes were prepared by spraying a solution of CsA, egg lecithin and cremophor EL in methanol-chloroform mixture onto directly compressible lactose (carrier) in a rotary evaporator. A dry free flowing powder of proliposomes was obtained. The dry proliposomal powder was characterized for surface morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Then the proliposomes were hydrated with distilled water to produce liposomes, which were characterized for particle size distribution, % drug entrapment, and morphological characteristics by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The liposomes exhibited good entrapment of about 99%. The entrapment of CsA in liposomes was found to be dependent mainly on the drug:lipid ratio. Bioavailability studies were carried out for three different formulations of CsA i.e., free drug suspension; proliposomes derived liposomes and marketed formulation (Pannimun Bioral, Microemulsion) on male SD rats. The results of bioavailability studies indicated that the difference in the mean drug concentration of the free drug and the liposomes was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05, p value is 0.032). The absorption constant for liposomal product was much greater (10.26 h(-1)) than for free drug solution (1.2 h(-1)) or the marketed sample of microemulsion (2.51 h(-1)) and the volume of distribution was found to be less for liposomes (7629.88 ml/kg) than that of the free drug solution (10971.92 ml/kg) and marketed microemulsion (9012.07 ml/kg). The results of these studies have shown that a stable proliposomal formulation of CsA for oral administration can be prepared which can be easily hydrated into liposomes from which CsA can exert its clinical effects with a better oral bioavailability.