Design and Development of Vancomycin Liposomes

Vancomycin hydrochloride is water soluble and poorly absorbable glycopeptide antibiotic act by inhibition of the synthesis of peptidoglycan a major component of bacteria cell wall. It is highly effective against the Staphylococcus aureus and other Staphylococcus species microorganisms. Structurally vancomycin hydrochloride has six peptide bonds with a molecular weight of approximately 1500 Da. Liposomes, the colloidal vesicular structures due to their biphasic environment can act as carriers for both lipophilic & hydrophilic drugs. The encapsulation of antimicrobials in liposomes potentially offers enhanced pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and decreased toxicity. This delivery system has the advantages of targeted, long circulation, low toxicity, sustained-release, no immunogenicity and protecting the encapsulated drugs from the destructive action of the external media. The present research work is planned to develop liposomal formulation of Vancomycin hydrochloride and to study the possibility of permeability enhancement. Liposomes are prepared by using various permeation enhancers like propylene glycol, poly ethylene glycol 400, poly ethylene glycol 600, Tween 80 and Span 60. The prepared liposomes are characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, particle size determination, encapsulation efficiency, FTIR spectroscopy studies and in vitro diffusion studies using dialysis membrane. Among six different liposomes F2 formulation (containing propylene glycol) has showed promising results with respect to drug entrapment and percentage drug release.