Encapsulation enhancement and stabilization of insulin in cationic liposomes

The purpose of this study was to enhance encapsulation efficiency and sustained-release delivery for parenteral administration of a protein drug. To reduce the administration frequency of protein drugs, it is necessary to develop sustained delivery systems. In this study, protein drug-loaded cationic liposomes were formulated with dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE), dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP), and cholesterol (CH) at a molar ratio of DOPE/DOTAP/CH of 2/1.5/2. Five mol% of distearoylphosphatidyl ethanolamine polyethylene glycol (DSPE-PEG) was added prior to encapsulation of the drug into liposomes. Insulin was chosen as a model protein drug and encapsulation efficiency was evaluated in various liposomes with and without DSPE-PEG. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the insulin-loaded cationic liposomes. Structural analysis was performed using spectropolarimetry. Additionally, the stability and cytotoxicity of insulin-loaded cationic liposomes were evaluated. Liposomes coated with DSPE-PEG showed higher insulin encapsulation efficiency than did those without DSPE-PEG, but not significantly. Moreover, among the liposomes coated with DSPE-PEG, those hydrated with 10% sucrose showed higher encapsulation efficiency than did liposomes hydrated in either phosphate-buffered saline or 5% dextrose. In vitro release of insulin was prolonged by cationic liposomes. Our findings suggest that cationic liposomes may be a potential sustained-release delivery system for parenteral administration of protein and peptide drugs to prolong efficacy and improve bioavailability.

The hydration solution can be an important factor in the preparation of liposomes and can increase their encapsulation efficiency and stability.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide