How wound environments trigger the release from Rifampicin-loaded liposomes

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutics
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Wound Healing

Background:

• Chronic wounds exhibit elevated proinflammatory cytokines, delaying healing.
• Topical rifampicin shows anti-inflammatory potential but lacks commercial topical products.
• A liposomal drug delivery system was developed to address this unmet medical need.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a stable liposomal topical delivery system for rifampicin.
• To investigate the in vitro release kinetics of rifampicin under simulated wound conditions.
• To identify key factors influencing rifampicin release from liposomes in a wound environment.

Main Methods:

• Liposomes prepared via thin-film hydration and freeze-dried for stability.
• In vitro rifampicin release studied using Dispersion Releaser technology in simulated wound fluid.
• Influences of oxidation, plasma proteins (albumin), and lipolysis on release were evaluated.

Main Results:

• Liposomes effectively protected rifampicin from degradation during storage.
• Plasma proteins showed minimal impact on rifampicin release (>70% albumin binding).
• Oxidative wound environment significantly accelerated rifampicin release, acting as a primary trigger.

Conclusions:

• A stable liposomal topical rifampicin formulation was successfully developed.
• Drug oxidation in simulated wound fluid accelerates rifampicin release.
• The identified oxidative trigger mechanism facilitates targeted drug delivery to inflamed tissues.