Application Potential of Liposomal Delivery Systems Prepared by Lipids Extracted from E. coli Cultures

Abstract

Aims: Liposomes are spherical vesicles composed of concentric phospholipid bilayers that can entrap hydrophilic, hydrophobic and amphiphilic drugs. Liposomes can be prepared from natural phospholipids, synthetic lipids or bacterial lipids. Regarding to the easy access to microorganisms in all year round, being economic and possibly growing in various substrates, bacterial lipids can be suitable candidates for preparation of liposomes. Objective: The aim of the present study was to formulate and evaluate liposomal vesicles prepared by lipid extracted from E. coli and loaded with methylene blue as drug model. Material and Methods: The lipids were extracted from the bacteria E.coli and analyzed by High Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC). Liposomes were prepared using film method and then characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and their particle sizes were measured. The release of methylene blue was determined using dialysis membrane method. Results: HPTLC analysis of the extracted lipids indicated that the glycerol ether was the major lipid with more than 70 percent probability. Results of particle size determination showed a mean size of 338 nm. The DSC curve of liposomes without methylene blue was different from methylene blue containing liposomes that indicated the possible interaction methylene blue with lipids during the preparation of liposomes. Encapsulation efficiency was 53.33±2.88% and there was 97.54%±0.00 release after 24 h. Conclusion: The results of this study may indicate the possible use bacterial lipids in preparation of nano-drug delivery derived system.