Optimization, characterization, and cytotoxicity studies of novel anti-tubercular agent-loaded liposomal vesicles

The treatment of tuberculosis is still a challenging process due to the widespread of pathogen strains resistant to antibacterial drugs, as well as the undesirable effects of anti-tuberculosis therapy. Hence, the development of safe and effective new anti-antitubercular agents, in addition to suitable nanocarrier systems, has become of utmost importance and necessity. Our research aims to develop liposomal vesicles that contain newly synthesized compounds with antimycobacterial action. The compound being studied is a derivative of imidazo-tetrazine named 3-(3,5-dimethylpyrazole-1-yl)-6-(isopropylthio) imidazo [1,2-b] [1,2,4,5] tetrazine compound. Several factors that affect liposomal characteristics were studied. The maximum encapsulation efficiency was 53.62 ± 0.09. The selected liposomal formulation T8* possessed a mean particle size of about 205.3 ± 3.94 nm with PDI 0.282, and zeta potential was + 36.37 ± 0.49 mv. The results of the in vitro release study indicated that the solubility of compound I was increased by its incorporation in liposomes. The free compound and liposomal preparation showed antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H 37 R v (ATCC 27294) at MIC value 0.94–1.88 μg/ml. We predict that the liposomes may be a good candidate for delivering new antitubercular drugs.