Berberine Liposome (CAT#: LDLY-1023-LD32)

Entrapment efficiency of the berberine-loaded liposomes generated by ethanol-injection and thin-film hydration methods

The study explores the development of liposomes as a delivery system for berberine (BBR), a poorly water-soluble alkaloid with therapeutic potential. Berberine's oral administration is limited by first-pass metabolism and poor absorption. To address this, BBR-loaded liposomes were fabricated using ethanol-injection and thin-film hydration methods. The liposomes exhibited sizes ranging from 50 nm to 449 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) below 0.3, indicating uniformity. The entrapment efficiency (EE) varied from 56% to 92%, with higher EE generally observed in liposomes prepared by the thin-film hydration method.
Experimental data showed that BBR accumulated within the phospholipid bilayers of the liposomes, enhancing stability and providing controlled release. In vitro studies demonstrated extended release of BBR from both types of liposomes, which is crucial for improving its bioavailability. The findings highlight the potential of BBR-loaded liposomes to overcome the limitations of BBR's oral delivery, offering a promising strategy for its therapeutic use. The study concludes that both nanofabrication methods are effective for creating BBR-loaded liposomes with desirable size, uniformity, and drug release characteristics.

Duong, T. T., Isomäki, A., et al. Nanoformulation and evaluation of oral berberine-loaded liposomes. Molecules. 2021, 26(9): 2591. Under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.