Related Experiment Videos
Liposomes in topical drug delivery
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|February 1, 1982
Summary
Liposomes enhance topical drug delivery by adsorbing to the cornea and facilitating drug transfer. Positively charged liposomes significantly increase transcorneal drug flux, outperforming traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmaceutics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Liposomes are investigated as potential topical drug delivery vehicles.
- Both water- and lipid-soluble drugs can be encapsulated within liposomes.
- Corneal drug penetration is a critical factor in topical ophthalmic therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate liposomes as topical drug delivery systems for ocular administration.
- To determine the influence of liposome charge on corneal drug uptake.
- To compare liposome-mediated drug delivery with conventional methods.
Main Methods:
- Liposomes of varying charges (positive, negative, neutral) were prepared.
- Transcorneal drug flux of penicillin G and indoxole was measured across isolated rabbit cornea.
- Drug delivery efficiency was compared between liposomes and polysorbate 80 in rat models.
Main Results:
- Positively charged liposomes showed greatest corneal uptake due to electrostatic adsorption.
- Unilamellar liposomes significantly enhanced transcorneal penicillin G flux (over fourfold).
- Liposomal drug entrapment is essential for enhanced transport; pre-mixed drug showed no improvement.
Conclusions:
- Liposomes, particularly positively charged ones, are effective topical drug delivery vehicles for ocular applications.
- Liposomes enhance corneal penetration by surface adsorption and direct drug transfer to corneal cells.
- Liposome-mediated delivery is significantly more efficient than polysorbate 80 formulations.