CELECOXIB LOADED LIPOSOMES: DEVELOPMENT, CHARACTERIZATION AND IN VITRO EVALUATION

CLX (celecoxib) is a highly hydrophobic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with high plasma protein binding. We describe here the encapsulation of CLX in MLVs composed of SPC and variable amounts of cholesterol. The influence of drug – lipid ratio was studied and amount of the drug could be encapsulated was optimized. The effect of cholesterol and other process parameters were studied to obtain the liposomal vesicles with desired quality. All the prepared formulations were characterized for their physico chemical properties such as appearance, vesicle size, vesicle size distribution and percentage drug entrapment.  Stability of the liposomes in terms of their drug leakage and drug retention behaviour was studied by storing the liposomal formulations under different conditions for the period of 30 days. The optimized formulation parameters and process parameters resulted the liposomes with mean vesicle diameter of 4.81μ. The maximum percentage drug entrapment was achieved with the formulation CL3 which contains the drug – lipid ratio of 1:10%W/W and the percentage drug entrapment is equal to 72.33±0.64 (%). In vitro release data showed that release profile follows zero order kinetics. Celecoxib liposomes with good stability and appreciable controlled drug release with good retention of the drug even after 24 hours were prepared successfully.