Formulation and Evaluation of Liposomal Drug Delivery System for Sulfasalazine

Aim: Aim of the current study is to prepare and characterize sulfasalazine-loaded liposomes to improve the bioavailability of the drug and to lessen the adverse effects of the drug. Background: Diseases like inflammatory bowel disease can be treated by anti-inflammatory agents like “Sulfasalazine,” It can also be used to treat ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. The biological half-life of sulfasalazine is 5-10hr; as in the case of conventional therapy, there is a chance of missing the dose. Therefore, frequent administration of drugs is essential to maintain the desired steady-state level. The side effects are thrombocytopenia, megaloblastic anemia, bone marrow depression, folic acid deficiency, impairment of male fertility (Oligospermia), intestinal nephritis due to 5-ASA, diarrhoea, headache, and skin rashes. The bioavailability of sulfasalazine is 15%. This work was undertaken to enhance bioavailability and decrease the side effects. Objective: The main objective of the study is to improve the solubility of sulfasalazine by formulating a liposomal drug delivery system. The major objective is to develop a liposomal formulation with good stability and the highest entrapment efficiency. Methods: Liposomes were produced by the thin-film hydration method. Nine formulations of liposomes were prepared by varying the concentrations of soya lecithin and cholesterol and changing the drug ratio. The obtained liposomes were characterized for surface morphology, FTIR, particle size, zeta potential, drug content, entrapment efficiency, and in-vitro diffusion studies. Results: Among the nine formulations of liposomes, F3 was found to be the best formulation with an entrapment efficiency of 97.8% and a zeta potential value of -37.2mV. Liposomes followed first-order kinetics with a non-fickian diffusion pathway. Conclusions: Sulfasalazine loaded liposomes were prepared with good stability and the highest entrapment efficiency.