Liposomes and PLG microparticles as sustained release antitubercular drug carriers—an in vitro–in vivo study

Abstract

Liposomes and PLG microparticles were investigated as sustained release antitubercular drug carriers for isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF). In vitro release of drugs from liposomes showed a sustained release of INH and RIF up to 4 weeks. PLG microparticles exhibited a sustained release of INH and RIF up to 6 and 49 days, respectively. In vivo drug disposition studies from liposomes indicated a sustained release of INH in plasma and various tissues up to 24 h and 5 days, respectively, while release of rifampicin was obtained for 24 and 72 h in plasma and various tissues. In vivo drug disposition studies from PEG–PLG microparticles indicated a sustained release of INH up to 9 and 27 days in plasma and various tissues, while rifampicin was detected in plasma and lungs up to 12 h and 27 days. Hepatotoxicity studies revealed no toxicity induced using biochemical tests. PLG microparticles exhibited a more sustained release of antitubercular drugs than a liposomal carrier system.