Liposomes have attracted much attention since they were first discovered. These artificially created, microscopic spheres have many properties that make them extremely useful. One of these is their bio-compatibility. They act in exactly the same way as the cellular membranes of the body. This means they can be used as a unique delivery system for nutrients, drugs and other agents to specific areas in an organism. There are a numbers of ways in which liposome manufacturing is achieved, all of which have advantages and disadvantages.
When phosphlipids such as lecithin come into contact with water, an interesting effect occurs. The molecules consist of a head which loves water and two tails that repel it. This means that the heads all face one side and the tails the other. Another layer is formed with tails all facing the tails of the first later and the heads facing the other way. These layers form the membranes around and inside every cell of the human body.
Liposomes are used to deliver toxic drugs to target cancer cells. They are used for delivering nutrients deficient in the body or cosmetic nutrients to the skin. Many other medical applications are possible too such as in the field of genetics. Preparation methods depend on various factors such as the characteristics of the material to be carried, the consistency offered from batch to batch and scale of production.
All liposomes consist of a lipid bilayer encapsulating a payload of therapeutic molecules. They bypass the digestive tract, so the payload remains biologically inert until such stage as the cell membrane ruptures. The difference between liposomes comes in the way, how, when and where that occurs.
The methods used in preparation may all be quite different but the basic stages remain the same. Thin lipid films are hydrated and this causes liquid bilayers to form. These large vesicles need to be reduced in size and energy output is required for this. Sonication is the use of sound waves and another mechanical method used is extrusion.
So, the general elements consist of lipid preparation for hydration, hydration with agitation and then sizing of vesicles. Each different method used has certain advantages and disadvantages. Liquid hydration methods usually result in low dose loading. Sonication can affect the structure of an encapsulated drug.
Some of the problems associated with these processes are inconsistencies in size, structural instability and high costs. These problems are all receiving attention and solutions are being found. Cosmetology, for example, is benefiting from the production of tiny particles called nanosomes which are much, much smaller than normal liposomes and can therefore penetrate the skin more easily.
Although conventional methods of manufacture are effective, research continues apace to make them more so. Much research is being conducted into ways in which liposomes can be created that have a strong chemical affinity for the cells of a particular organ or kind of tissue. They also need to have the ability to deliver payloads to the cells as efficiently as possible.
When phosphlipids such as lecithin come into contact with water, an interesting effect occurs. The molecules consist of a head which loves water and two tails that repel it. This means that the heads all face one side and the tails the other. Another layer is formed with tails all facing the tails of the first later and the heads facing the other way. These layers form the membranes around and inside every cell of the human body.
Liposomes are used to deliver toxic drugs to target cancer cells. They are used for delivering nutrients deficient in the body or cosmetic nutrients to the skin. Many other medical applications are possible too such as in the field of genetics. Preparation methods depend on various factors such as the characteristics of the material to be carried, the consistency offered from batch to batch and scale of production.
All liposomes consist of a lipid bilayer encapsulating a payload of therapeutic molecules. They bypass the digestive tract, so the payload remains biologically inert until such stage as the cell membrane ruptures. The difference between liposomes comes in the way, how, when and where that occurs.
The methods used in preparation may all be quite different but the basic stages remain the same. Thin lipid films are hydrated and this causes liquid bilayers to form. These large vesicles need to be reduced in size and energy output is required for this. Sonication is the use of sound waves and another mechanical method used is extrusion.
So, the general elements consist of lipid preparation for hydration, hydration with agitation and then sizing of vesicles. Each different method used has certain advantages and disadvantages. Liquid hydration methods usually result in low dose loading. Sonication can affect the structure of an encapsulated drug.
Some of the problems associated with these processes are inconsistencies in size, structural instability and high costs. These problems are all receiving attention and solutions are being found. Cosmetology, for example, is benefiting from the production of tiny particles called nanosomes which are much, much smaller than normal liposomes and can therefore penetrate the skin more easily.
Although conventional methods of manufacture are effective, research continues apace to make them more so. Much research is being conducted into ways in which liposomes can be created that have a strong chemical affinity for the cells of a particular organ or kind of tissue. They also need to have the ability to deliver payloads to the cells as efficiently as possible.
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