The aim of this study is to investigate methotrexate-entrapped ultradeformable liposomes (MTX-UDLs) for potential transdermal application. MTX-UDLs were prepared by extrusion method with phosphatidylcholine as a bilayer matrix and sodium cholate or Tween 80 as an edge activator. The physicochemical properties of MTX-UDLs were determined in terms of particle size, polydispersity index, zeta pote...

A bioactive paper-based colorimetric "dipstick" bioassay is reported that is based on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) catalyzed enlargement of gold nanoparticles that are co-entrapped with the enzyme in a sol-gel based silica material that is coated on a functionalized paper substrate. Test solutions containing acetylthiocholine (ATCh) and a Au(III) salt are spotted over the sensing area of the bio...

The effect of liposomal entrapment on oral absorption of drugs was deter~ned from the excretion profiles of entrapped markers after oral administration to rats. Liposomal entrapment does not facilitate the uptake of PEG-4000, a non-absorbable, water-soluble marker. The excretion patterns of hydrocortisone and salicylic acid, when entrapped in L-a-phosphatidylcholine distearoyl/cholesterol or eg...

Antibody-directed liposomes (immunoliposomes) are frequently used for targeted drug delivery. However, delivery of large biotherapeutic molecules (i.e. peptides, proteins, or nucleic acids) with immunoliposomes is often hampered by an inefficient cytosolic release of entrapped macromolecules after target cell binding and subsequent endocytosis of immunoliposomes. To enhance cytosolic drug deliv...

Archaeosome adjuvants formulated as archaeal ether glycerolipid vesicles induce strong CD4(+) as well as CD8(+) CTL responses to entrapped soluble antigens. Immunization of mice with ovalbumin (OVA) entrapped in archaeosomes composed of the total polar lipids of Methanobrevibacter smithii resulted in a potent OVA-specific CD8(+) T-cell response, and subsequently, the mice dramatically resisted ...

Floating multi-layer coated tablets were designed based on gas formation. The system consists of a drug-containing core tablet coated with a protective layer (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), a gas forming layer (sodium bicarbonate) and a gas-entrapped membrane, respectively. The mechanical properties of acrylic polymers (Eudragit RL 30D, RS 30D, NE 30D) and ethylcellulose were characterized by ...

A study has been made to determine if the cytotoxicity observed when cells in culture were exposed to liposome-entrapped cytotoxic drugs was liposome mediated or resulted from leakage of drug from the liposomes with subsequent uptake of free drugs by the cells. In preliminary experiments with the EMT6 cell line in monolayer culture, the cytotoxicity observed when the cells were exposed to a ran...

A pH-controlled continuous lactic acid fermentation of whey permeate supplemented with yeast extract was carried out with Lactobacillus helveticus entrapped in K-carrageenan-locust bean gum gel beads at various dilution rates and pH set points. A kinetic study of the immobilized cell continuous fermentation in a 1-I stirred-tank reactor containing 33% (v/v) gel beads was carried out with an ori...

DNA, isolated from Simian virus 40 (SV40), has been encapsulated in large (0.4-micrometer diameter) unilamellar phospholipid vesicles. The procedure used for liposome preparation encapsulated the SV40 DNA at high efficiency (30 to 50% entrapment) and did not alter the physical or biological properties of the DNA molecules. The biological activity of the liposome-entrapped viral DNA was determin...

Gas-filled microbubbles have the potential to become a unique intravascular MR contrast agent due to their magnetic susceptibility effect, biocompatibility, and localized manipulation via ultrasound cavitation. However, microbubble susceptibility effect is relatively weak when compared with other intravascular MR susceptibility contrast agents. In this study, enhancement of microbubble suscepti...