Experiment on using different types of liposomes as carriers for curcumin transdermal delivery

Objective: To probe different types of liposomes and their practicability as curcumin transdermal delivery vectors.Methods: With curcumin as a target drug,three types of liposomes——traditional liposomes,ethosomes and propylene glycol liposomes(PGL),were prepared by injection method.Their morphology,particle size and encapsulation effi-ciency were investigated.Drug release rate in vitro was measured using dissolution apparatus.Rat abdominal skin was used to evaluate drug transdermal quantity and deposition quantity in skin.Results: The order of particle size of different liposomes was: traditional liposomes(1346.7±1257.8)nmethosomes(963.5±702.4)nmPGL with glycol-wa-ter volume ratio of 1:2(506.6±326.7) nm.The sequence of encapsulation efficiency was: PGL ethosomestraditional liposomes.Liposomes prepared at 1:2 alcohol-water volume ratio had the highest encapsulation efficiency of 92.74±3.44%.From penetration test results,PGL made at propylene glycol-water volume ratio of 1:2 showed small particle size,high encapsulation efficiency and good stability.There was no significant difference between curcumin ethanol solution and optimum PGL in drug transdermal quantity and skin deposition quantity in 10 h.Conclusion: PGL with simple preparation and high encapsulation efficiency maybe an effective transdermal drug delivery carrier.