Formulation and evaluation of a folic acid receptor-targeted oral vancomycin liposomal dosage form

To demonstrate utility of folic acid-coated liposomes for enhancing the delivery of a poorly absorbed glycopeptide, vancomycin. via the oral route. Liposomes prepared as dehydration-rehydration vesicles (DRVs) containing vancomycin were optimized for encapsulation efficiency and stability. A folic acid-poly(ethylene oxide)-cholesterol construct was synthesized for adsorption at DRV surfaces. Liposomes were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and assessed in vitro in the Caco-2 cell model and in vivo in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis of vancomycin was conducted after intravenous and oral administration of solution or liposome-encapsulated vancomycin with or without 0.05 mole ratio FA-PEO-Chol adsorbed at liposome surfaces. Optimal loading of vancomycin (32%) was achieved in DRVs of DSPC:Chol:DCP, 3:1:0.25 mole ratio (m.r.) after liposome extrusion. Liposomes released less than 40% of the entrapped drug after 2 hours incubation in simulated gastrointestinal (GI) fluid and simulated intestinal fluid containing a 10 mM bile salt cocktail. Incorporation of FA-PEO-Chol in liposomes increased drug leakage by 20% but resulted in a 5.7-fold increase in Caco-2 cell uptake of vancomycin. Liposomal delivery significantly increased the area under the curve of oral vancomycin resulting in a mean 3.9-fold and 12.5-fold increase in relative bioavailability for uncoated and FA-PEO-Chol-coated liposomes, respectively, compared with an oral solution. The design of FA-PEO-Chol-coated liposomes resulted in a dramatic increase in the oral delivery of a moderate-size glycopeptide in the rat compared with uncoated liposomes or oral solution. It is speculated that the cause of the observed effect was due to binding of liposome-surface folic acid to receptors in the GI tract with subsequent receptor-mediated endocytosis of entrapped vancomycin by enterocytes.