This type of liposomes is with multiple concentric lipid layers, with up to fourteen layers, each separated by an aqueous solution [34]. MLVs tend to be present as a heterogeneous mixture, with vesicle sizes ranging from 500 to 5000nm. Small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs): homogenization of MLV

can then result in either SUV or large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs). SUVs are liposomes whose structure contains only one lipid layer and whose average diameter ranges from 25 to 100nm [21, 28]. Large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs): this type of liposomes contains a single lipid layer, and its diameter can range from 200 to 800nm. The drug retained and that which leaked were Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical separated from plasma by gel filtration. On the assumption that lipid content does not change, the drug released from each liposome preparation was estimated by a latency percentage calculated from the drug/lipid concentration ratio of the liposome preparation. Polyethylene glycol has also been added to the surface of liposomes in order Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical to prevent liposomal aggregation in solution, to decrease liposomal uptake by the reticuloendothelial system, and to increase the half-life of the liposomal formulation. These types of sterically stabilized Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical liposomes are called stealth liposomes [35, 36]. Stealth liposome technology is one of the most

often used liposome-based systems for delivery of active molecules. This strategy was achieved simply by modifying the surface of the liposome membrane, a process that was achieved by engineering hydrophilic Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical polymer conjugates [37]. The employed hydrophilic polymers were natural or synthetic polymers such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), chitosan, silk-fibroin, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Although the majority of hydrophilic polymers conjugate high biocompatibility, nontoxicity, low immunogenicity, and learn more antigenicity, PEG remains the most widely used

polymer conjugate (Figure 3). Figure 3 Schematic representation of different types of liposomes. (a) Conventional liposome, (b) Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical conventional liposome tagged directly with antibodies, (c) stealth liposome coated with a polymeric conjugated, (d) liposome coated with a polymeric conjugated tagged … The only shortcoming of liposomes involves their difficulty in bypassing certain capillary cells in several organs. In theory, an encapsulated active drug in a liposomal system may be released through three possible mechanisms: passive diffusion, vesicle erosion, and vesicle retention, diffusion, erosion, and retention Batimastat in the circulation. The liposomes extend then time that medication remains in the blood stream, prolonging therapeutic actions and reducing toxic side effects. Larger size or multilamellar liposomes with a size range of 500–selleck inhibitor 5000nm were the first to be eliminated from the systemic circulation due to phagocytosis [38]. Their problems, however, are being rectified through modifications of the size and composition of the lipid components. 3.1.