Characterization of Capecitabine Loaded Stealth Liposomes by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Abstract

Background Liposomes are lipid aggregates with a careful choice of lipid composition and process parameters. Liposomes are formulated by optimization of process parameters of liposomes to achieve desired bioavailability and to improve stability. Objectives The main objective of the present research was to formulate colon targeting capecitabine loaded stealth liposomes characterized by using Nuclear magnetic resonance NMR techniques to determine the fractions of the drug capecitabine CAP encapsulated in the liposomal suspension.Methods Liposome properties were evaluated by NMR. 31P-NMR 31Phosphorus NMR in combination with the use of chemical shift reagents were used for the identification of lamellarity of liposomes which can have a strong effect on both encapsulation efficiency and the efflux rate of encapsulated active compounds.Results The results suggested that capecitabine remained intact during the loading process and the liposomal drug was present in a soluble form. Conclusion 31P-NMR was found to be an effective method to study the lamellarity of liposomes and to determine the distributed fractions of encapsulated capecitabine.