• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.303-311
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• 1997

Proliposomal patch of clenbuterol, ${\beta}_2-agonist$ bronchodilator, was prepared and its feasibility as a novel transdermal drug delivery system was examined. Proliposomal granules containing clenbuterol was prepared by a standard method using sorbitol and lecithin with (Rx 2) or without cholesterol (Rx 1). The porous structure of sorbitol in the proliposomes was maintained allowing tree flowability of the granules. Following contact with water, the granules were converted probably to liposomes almost completely within several minutes. It indicates that proliposomes may be hydrated, when they are applied on the skin under occlusive condition in vivo, by the sweat to form liposomes. Clenbuterol release from Rx 1 and Rx 2 proliposomes to pH 7.4 isotonic phospate buffer (PBS) across cellulose membrane (mol. wt. cut-off of 12000-14000) was retarded significantly compared with that from the mixture of clenbuterol powder and blank proliposomes. Interestingly, proliposomes prepared with lecithin and cholesterol (i.e., Rx 2 proliposomes) showed much more retarded release of clenbuterol than proliposomes prepared only with lecithin (i.e.. Rx 1 proliposomes), indicating that clenbuterol release from proliposomes can be controlled by the addition of cholesterol to the proliposomes. Proliposomal patches were prepared using PVC film as an occlusive backing sheet, two sides adhesive tape (urethane, 1.45 mm thickness) as a reservoir for proliposome granules and Millipore MF-membrane (0.45 mm pore size) as a drug release-controlling membrane. Rx 1 or Rx 2 proliposomes containing 4.6 mg of clenbuterol were loaded into the reservoir of the patch. Clenbuterol release from the patches to pH 7.4 PBS was determined using USP paddle (50 rpm)-over-disc release method. Clenbuterol release from the proliposomal patches was much more retarded even than from a matrix type clenbuterol patch (Boehringer Ingelheim ltd). Being consistent with clenbuterol release from the proliposomal granules, the release from the patches was highly dependent on the presence of cholesterol in the proliposomes : Patches containing Rx 2 proliposomes showed several fold slower drug release than patches containing Rx 1 proliposomes. When the patch containing Rx 1 proliposomes was applied on to the back of a hair-removed rat, clenbuterol concentration in the rat blood was maintained during 6-72 hrs. Transdermal absorption of clenbuterol from the patch was accelerated when the patch was prehydrated with 50 ml of pH 7.4 PBS before topical application. Above results indicate that sustained transdermal delivery of clenbuterol is feasible using proliposomal patches if the cholesterol content and pore size of the release rate-controlling membrane of patches, for example, are appropriately controlled.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.17-34
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• 1992

A novel drug delivery system, detergent-phospholipid mixed micelles as proliposomes, for water-insoluble compounds was developed by investigating (i) spontaneous formation of small unilamellar vesicles (SUV) from bile salt-egg phosphatidylcholine mixed micelles, (ii) the molecular mechanism of micelle-to-vesicle transition in aqueous mixtures of detergent-phospholipid, (iii) preparation and screening of a suitable liposomal formulation for a lipophilic drug: solubilization of the drug within the lipid bilayer, evaluation of the solubility limit, and characterization of the resulting product with respect to the physical properties and stability of the drug in the system, and (iv) testing antitumor activity in vitro. The results showed that the new carrier had a strong possibility to be a biocompatible universal formulation for water-insoluble drugs.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.234-238
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• 1988

Proliposome of Sudan IV was prepared according to Payne et al. and evaluated for it's size distribution, surface characteristics and conversion to liposome in aqueous medium. The manufacturing procedures for proliposomes involve the coating of phospholipid solution with Sudan IV on the surface of sorbitol particle in rotary vacuum evaporator. As a result, dry, free flowing and stable proliposome was obtained and multi-lamellar liposome of sudan IV was formed spontaneously when water were added to this. Proliposomes were expected as a probable answer for the physical instability of conventional liposomes.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.417-424
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• 2024

Background: This research main objective was to evaluate a proliposomes (PLs) formulation for the enhancement of oral bioavailability of ginsenosides, using ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) as a marker. Methods: A novel PLs formulation was prepared using a modified evaporation-on-matrix method. Soy phosphatidylcholine, Rg3-enriched extract, poloxamer 188 (Lutrol® F 68) and sorbitol were mixed and dissolved using a aqueous ethanolic solution, followed by the removal of ethanol and lyophilization. The characterization of Rg3-PLs formulations was performed by powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and in vitro release. The enhancement of oral bioavailability was investigated and analyzed by noncompartmental parameters after oral administration of the formulations. Results: PXRD of Rg3-PLs indicated that Rg3 was transformed from crystalline into its amorphous form during the preparation process. The Rg3-encapsulated liposomes with vesicular-shaped morphology were generated after the reconstitution by gentle hand-shaking in water; they had a mean diameter of approximately 350 nm, a negative zeta potential (- 28.6 mV) and a high entrapment efficiency (97.3%). The results of the in vitro release study exhibited that significantly more amount of Rg3 was released from the PLs formulation in comparison with that from the suspension of Rg3-enriched extract (control group). The pharmacokinetic parameters after oral administration of PLs formulation in rats showed an approximately 11.8-fold increase in the bioavailability of Rg3, compared to that of the control group. Conclusion: The developed PLs formulation could be a favorable delivery system to improve the oral bioavailability of ginsenosides, including Rg3.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.155-161
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• 1992

Although glycosylated liposomes have attracted much attention as targeting delivery systems (DDS) of drugs to specific organs which have glycoside receptors, physical instability of liposomes greatly limits their practical application. In this case, proliposomes might be a potential answer to solve this problem. Utilizing the proliposomes as tageting DDS has been a goal of our series of works; we have tried to develop DDS which form liposomes uppon adding water and can deliver drugs to specific target organs/cells such as hepatocytes. In this paper, preparation of glycosylated liposomes and binding of the liposomes with lectin (agglutinin RCA 120) was studied. Asialoletuin (AF) was selected as a model compound which has galactose terminal and is favorable for binding with galactose receptor on the surface of hepatocytes. AF was obtained by splitting the terminal N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA) of fetuin. Small unilamellar AF-liposomes were prepared by mixing aqueous solution of AF-palmitate with thin film of phosphatidyl choline and cholesterol (30:10 w/w) formed on the innersurface of the round bottomed flask. They were successively extruded through polycarbonate membranes (0.45 mm). Palmitoyl-AF not incorporated into the liposomal bilayer was separated from liposomes by a Sepharose 4B column equilibrated with 10 mM Tris-HCI buffered saline. Lectin (agglutinin RCA 120) was added to the suspension of AF-liposomes and incubated at $37^{\circ}C$ for 2 hr. After centrifugation, the unbound lectin in the supernatant was assayed for protein. The binding of the lectin to AF-liposomes (AF content 2.8 nmole) at $37^{\circ}C$ was linear at least upto 35 mg of lectin indicating high affinity association of the lectin to AF molecules of the liposomes.