Magnetorheological liposomes. An alternative approach for drug delivery driven by mutual magnetic dipole–dipole interaction

Abstract

In this study consideration is given to an alternative approach for drug release by the use magnetorheological liposomes with the aim to eliminate the need for an external oscillatory magnetic field (hyperthermia) for rupture of the liposome. Contrariwise traditional magnetic liposomes – using nano magnetic particles or ferrofluids, here the magnetic liposome contains a magnetorheological particle (i.e., of micrometric size) which makes the dipole–dipole magnetic interaction between particles strong enough to break up the bilipid layer and then releasing the drug. Utilizing a simplified physical model an expression for the liposome rupture by dipole–dipole magnetic interaction as a function of the drug and magnetorheological particle fraction was derived. It is shown that rupture of the bilipid layer by dipole–dipole magnetic interaction could be feasible when the magnetorheological particle fraction inside the liposome is around a 20 per cent or higher.