Preparation, Characterization and In-Vitro Release Study of Flurbiprofen Loaded Stealth Liposomes

Abstract

The objective of the study was to prepare flurbiprofen loaded stealth liposome formulations by optimizing the various process and formulation related variables. Various liposomal batches were prepared by thin film hydration technique and they were characterized for drug encapsulation %, chemical interaction of the drug and excipients, vesicle size, drug release profile in vitro and stability using specified methods. The best flurbiprofen loaded liposome was composed of DSPC/Cholesterol group of 4:1 mole ratio and the best stealth liposome was composed of DSPC/CH/ PE 18:0|18:0-PEG 2000 (PE-PEG) group of 4:1:0.2 mole ratios. Stealth liposome was found to have greater stability, higher drug encapsulation % and lower drug release in vitro compared to others. The drug encapsulation efficiency of stealth liposomes was 68% and it could retain 70.9% of the drug even after 24 h. FTIR study indicated that there is no significant chemical interaction between the components. SEM photograph confirmed that vesicles were homogenous and spherical in shape. Stability studies showed that the vesicles were stable in -20 °C and refrigerated temperature (4 °C) for one month without significant differences in drug entrapment. The present study has given us knowledge also that liposomes with low amount of cholesterol are better candidate for flurbiprofen liposomes.