Preparation and characterization of “dextran-magnetic layered double hydroxide-fluorouracil” targeted liposomes

Abstract

This work was aimed at assessing the preparation and characteristics of "dextran-magnetic layered double hydroxide-fluorouracil" liposomes (DMFL). DMFL was prepared by the optimized reverse evaporation method, which concerned the entrapment efficiency and slow-released effect. The factors affecting the entrapment efficiency of DMFL were studied using orthogonal design, and the optimum conditions are: weight ratio of lecithin to cholesterol (2:1), weight ratio of lecithin to DMF (7:1), emulsification time (30 min) and temperature (50 °C). The characteristics of optimized DMFL on encapsulation efficiency, mean diameter and pH value were 85.47±0.83, 160.4±0.55 nm and 6.58±0.05, respectively. In vitro drug release profile of DMFL followed the Higuchi release model equation Q=9.2338t(1/2)+22.821. The magnetic targeting results showed that DMFL had sensitive magnetic targeted responsibility. The results of XRD, FT-IR and TEM indicated that the structure and property of DMF were not destroyed during the process of forming DMFL, and the phospholipid bilayer and the hexagonal skeleton DMF were obvious and complete after being lyophilized powder. This lyophilized method could be used to store the DMFL easily. These results suggested that DMFL had the potential for developing as a practical preparation for administration.