Investigation of Nano Lipid Vesicles of Lornoxicam for Targeted Drug Delivery

Aim: The aim of the present study was to formulate nano lipid vesicles of lornoxicam targeting to the specific site (inflamed area), and investigating it’s in vivo anti-inflammatory activity in animals (rats).

Methods: Liposomes of lornoxicam were prepared by thin film hydration method. Lornoxicam was loaded in stealth liposomes, conventional liposomes and coated conventional liposomes. Stealth liposomes were prepared by incorporating PEGylated lipids MPEGDSPE. Conventional liposomes were formulated using phospholipids Lipoid SPC-3 and cholesterol. Conventional liposomes were later coated with the hydrophilic biocompatible polymer chitosan which produced cationic liposomes. All the formulations were optimized to get the best entrapment efficiency.

Results: The average size of the unsonicated liposomes was found to be 844.4 nm, whereas the average particle size of sonicated liposomes was found to be 195.5 nm. Coating of lipid vesicles was confirmed by zeta potential values using a nano zeta sizer instrument which showed that the chitosan coated liposomes exhibited a positive zeta potential compared to the uncoated liposomes which had a negative zeta potential values. The PDI was found to be 0.4, indicated good dispersion of uniformly sized lipid vesicles. All coated conventional, uncoated conventional and PEGylated liposomal formulations followed Higuchi model drug release profile. Stability study showed higher drug content at refrigeration temperature when compared to the formulations stored at room temperature, after a period of 4 weeks. Chitosan coated liposomes were found to be more stable as the coating with chitosan prevents the oxidation of phospholipids. In vivo study was carried out in rats for their anti rheumatoid which showed that there was a significant reduction in edema volume in the rat group administered with the liposomal formulation.

Conclusion: PEGylated liposomes were found to be more effective and stable than the uncoated conventional liposomes.