Polymer coated mucoadhesive liposomes intended for the management of xerostomia

In this study three different types of liposomes (positively, negatively and neutrally charged) were coated with five different types of polymers: low-methoxylated pectin (LM-pectin), high-methoxylated pectin (HM-pectin), alginate, chitosan and hydrophobically modified ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (HM-EHEC). The particle size and the zeta potential of the obtained carriers were tested by measuring dynamic light scattering (DLS) and electrophoretic mobility. Later on, selected positively charged liposomes were deposited on a negatively charged mica surface and depicted by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The water sorption properties of polymers, uncoated liposomes and polymer-coated liposomes were studied by the means of dynamic vapor sorption (DVS). The experiments were performed within the relative humidity range RH=95–0–95%, at 35°C. It was found that coating the liposomes with polymers significantly increased the water sorption capacity of the formulations, making them an attractive choice for hydration of the oral mucosa. Graphical abstract
Source: International Journal of Pharmaceutics - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research