Liposomal formulation of a glycerolipidic prodrug for lymphatic delivery of didanosine via oral route

Didanosine is a polar drug with poor membrane absorption and high hepatic first pass metabolism. This study aimed at developing a lipidic formulation of a glycerolipidic prodrug of didanosine in order to improve its bioavailability. In the course of a preformulation study, the glycerolipidic prodrug of didanosine was characterized by microscopy, DSC and XRDT. In anhydrous conditions, the prodrug displayed a polymorphic behaviour similar to that of triglycerides. Then, we evaluated three types of lipidic formulations (emulsions, mixed micelles and liposomes) in order to encapsulate the prodrug. Solubilities in water – even in the presence of taurocholate micelles – but also in some oils were very low (max 244 μg/mL) as the prodrug was found to be amphiphilic (log P = 2). On the contrary, the prodrug was found to be perfectly incorporated in dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) multilamellar liposomes up to a ratio of 1:5 (mol:mol) prodrug:DPPC as suggested by HPLC-UV and DSC experiments. Moreover, these liposomes could be freeze-dried whereas the chemical integrity of the prodrug was preserved. Then, the freeze-dried liposomal preparation could be formulated as gastro-resistant capsules to prevent didanosine from acidic degradation. Further experiments are on the way to evaluate in vitro the absorption of prodrug incorporated in liposomes by enterocytes.