Formulation and evaluation of liposomes in carbopol gels for mixed vaginal infections Sangeetha S

Objective: The aim of our study was to formulate and evaluate the liposomal carrier system for the local treatment for mixed vaginal infections. The combination of voriconazole and metronidazole were selected as model drugs for mixed vaginal infections.Methods:Multi lamellar liposomescomposed phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol along with combination of drugs was prepared by the thin film hydration method. The prepared liposome were characterized for fourier transform infrared, size distribution, entrapment efficiency, in vitrorelease study in simulated vaginal fluid and stability studies.The liposomes were loaded to carbopol gel. The liposomes loaded carbopol gels were evaluated for in vitrodrugs release study and compared with control gel. Results: FTIR study indicated that there is no significant chemical interaction between the components.The cumulative percent releasefrom liposomal gels FL1 was found to be 69.90% for metronidazole and 56.02 % for voriconazole.In vitro release studies of liposomes incorporated in the carbopol gel have shown a prolonged release of entrapped metronidazole and voriconazole compared to control gel. Stability studies showed that the vesicles were stable inrefrigerated temperature (4 °C) for 60 days without significant differences in drug entrapment.Conclusion:From the results it was evident that the liposomes are capable to efficiently deliver entrapped drug for the extended period of time within a bioadhesive gel. The bioadhesive gel in combination of these two drugs is effective in more than one type of vaginal infections.