Preparation and Characterization of Nanoscale Complex Liposomes Containing Medium-Chain Fatty Acids and Vitamin C

Abstract

Complex liposomes containing both a hydrophilic drug vitamin C and hydrophobic drug medium-chain fatty acids were prepared by double emulsion method and double emulsion-dynamic high pressure microfluidization, respectively. The results showed that the complex nanoliposomes (medium-chain fatty acids-vitamin C nanoliposomes) prepared by double emulsion-dynamic high pressure microfluidization exhibited higher entrapment efficiency of medium-chain fatty acids (48.66 ± 2.59)%, relatively higher entrapment efficiency of vitamin C (64.00 ± 5.27)%, lower average size diameter (92.8 ± 6.85) nm, and better storage stability at 4°C for 90 days than those prepared by double emulsion. In vitro drug release studies of medium-chain fatty acids-vitamin C nanoliposomes prepared by double emulsion-dynamic high pressure microfluidization were also investigated. Prolonged drug releases of medium-chain fatty acids-vitamin C nanoliposomes were observed compared with liposomes encapsulating one drug (medium-chain fatty acids or vitamin C) over a period of 24 h. It was indicated that double emulsion-dynamic high pressure microfluidization could be a potential approach in the preparation of nanoscale complex liposomes encapsulating both a hydrophilic drug and hydrophobic drug.