Novel vaginal drug delivery system: deformable propylene glycol liposomes-in-hydrogel.
Deformable propylene glycol-containing liposomes (DPGLs) incorporating metronidazole or clotrimazole were prepared and evaluated as an efficient drug delivery system to improve the treatment of vaginal microbial infections. The liposome formulations were optimized based on sufficient trapping efficiencies for both drugs and membrane elasticity as a prerequisite for successful permeability and therapy. An appropriate viscosity for vaginal administration was achieved by incorporating the liposomes into Carbopol hydrogel. DPGLs were able to penetrate through the hydrogel network more rapidly than conventional liposomes. In vitro studies of drug release from the liposomal hydrogel under conditions simulating human treatment confirmed sustained and diffusion-based drug release. Characterization of the rheological and textural properties of the DPGL-containing liposomal hydrogels demonstrated that the incorporation of DPGLs alone had no significant influence on mechanical properties of hydrogels compared to controls. These results support the great potential of DPGL-in-hydrogel as an efficient delivery system for the controlled and sustained release of antimicrobial drugs in the vagina.
Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb , Zagreb , Croatia .
Željka
Ž
Vanić
Julia
J
Hurler
Kristina
K
Ferderber
Petra
P
Golja Gašparović
Nataša
N
Škalko-Basnet
Jelena
J
Filipović-Grčić
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004355:Drug Stability; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000737:chemistry; D007239:Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019946:Propylene Glycol / Q000737:chemistry; D014621:Vagina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D008081:Liposomes; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D019946:Propylene Glycol