Influence of probe-sonication process on drug entrapment efficiency of liposomes loaded with a hydrophobic drug

ABSTRACT

Since probe-sonication is commonly used to homogenize liposomal formulations, it is necessary to investigate its influence on drug entrapment efficiency (EE) of liposomes. In this study, ibuprofen-loaded liposomes (IBU-Lip) dispersion was prepared from ibuprofen (IBU), soy phosphatidylcholine (SPC) and cholesterol (Chol) by thin film hydration and probe-sonication process. The influences of sonication time and power on EE were studied. Also, the effects of SPC-to-Chol ratio and drug-to-lipid ratio on EE were demonstrated. The results indicated that increasing sonication time or decreasing drug-to-lipid ratio could increase EE. Additionally, EE first increased then decreased as sonication power increased or SPC-to-Chol ratio decreased.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Entrapment efficiency
• homogeneity
• ibuprofen
• liposome
• probe-sonication

Additional information

Funding

The authors thank the financial support from the Science and Technology Plan of Hunan Province (grant number 2015RS4002) and the Chinese Postdoctoral Scientific Research Funding (grant number 140050005).