STUDIES ON FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF LIPOSOME FOR CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS

Abstract

Aim of present study was to design liposome for allopurinol delivery against cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Leishmaniasis is disease caused by pathogenic protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. The disease is complex and untreated cases of leishmaniasis may result to chronic form such as mucosal leishmaniasis. There are several therapeutics available to treat CL, however, in recent time allopurinol has been used to tackle the chronic cases. The conventional formulations of allopurinol remain associated with several limitations both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic. In this study, nanodesign liposome has been used to enhance pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters. The liposomes were prepared by dried thin film hydration technique using a rotary evaporator with drug and carrier (soybean lecithin). The prepared liposomes formulations were evaluated for physical and chemical characteristics like average vesicle size, shape, zeta potential, % free drug, assay and stability studies. This developed liposomal drug delivery system was also evaluated for in-vitro drug release studies by pH 7.4 phosphate buffer using membrane diffusion method. The cumulative percentage of drug release was reported highest in the LF4 i.e. 98.08±1.54. Additionally, ex vivo studies have shown that allopurinol loaded into liposome has higher permeation (2.68µg/cm2 ) compared to allopurinol alone. These finding demonstrate liposome based allopurinol based drug delivery is effective compared to conventional formations.