Table 2 Benefits of drug load in liposomes
From: Liposome: classification, preparation, and applications
Benefits of drug load in liposome | Examples |
|---|---|
1. Improved solubility of lipophilic and amphiphilic drugs | Amphotericin B, porphyrins, minoxidil, some peptides, and anthracyclines, respectively; hydrophilic drugs, such as anticancer agent doxorubicin or acyclovir |
2. Passive targeting to the cells of the immune system, especially cells of the mononuclear phagocytic system | Antimonials, amphotericin B, porphyrins, vaccines, immunomodulators |
3. Sustained release system of systemically or locally administered liposomes | Doxorubicin, cytosine arabinoside, cortisones, biological proteins or peptides such as vasopressin |
4. Site-avoidance mechanism | Doxorubicin andamphotericin B |
5. Site-specific targeting | Anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-cancer, anti-infection |
6. Improved transfer of hydrophilic, charged molecules | Antibiotics, chelators, plasmids, and genes |
7. Improved penetration into tissues | Corticosteroids, anesthetics, and insulin |