300
combination of DSC with other methods, such as molecular
dynamic simulations, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction,
can reveal valuable information, such as the conformational
changes of the molecule inserted in the core of the lipidic core
[1–5, 7, 8]. Apart from the model lipid bilayers, the DSC technique is considered to be a useful method for the thermal evaluation of drug delivery nanosystems, consisted of lipid bilayers, such
as liposomes. DSC provides significant information, such as material transitions and metastable phases that are in strict correlation
with the functionality of nanosystems, as well as with their drugrelease kinetic profile and as a result with the pharmacokinetics and
bioavailability of their content drugs. DSC can play an important
role in the design and formulation process of liposomal drug delivery systems and subsequently the production and scale-up process
of safe and effective nanomedicines, eventually increasing their
translational bench-to-clinic efficacy [9, 10].
When liposomal nanosystems are studied with the DSC technique, apart from their incorporated drug content, there is also a
great variety of available biomaterials that can be incorporated into
the liposomal formulation as “guest molecules” and affect the
thermotropic behavior of the liposomal lipidic bilayer [11–15].
Specifically, in order for advanced chimeric liposomal systems to be
prepared, phospholipids are combined with other different-innature biomaterials, such as block copolymers, or even whole different nanosystems, such as dendrimers or nanoparticles, are
loaded into liposomes [16]. Chimeric liposomes are classified as
innovative, next-generation nanosystems with promising therapeutic applications. DSC may provide answers on crucial queries
regarding their properties, such as the cooperativity of the variousin- nature incorporated materials, which is a key parameter, strictly
correlated with their functionality.
The herein presented DSC protocol report has been obtained
through a careful study of the literature referring to lipid bilayers or
liposomes with incorporated small molecules, such as drugs [1–5,
7, 8, 17, 18], as well as to advanced chimeric liposomal bilayers and
systems that incorporate a variety of different guest biomaterials,
such as polymers, dendrimers, and carbon nanotubes [11–15, 19].
2 Materials
Prepare the different liposomal formulations by using the thin-film
hydration method (see Note 1) as follows:
1. Weight carefully the appropriate amounts of the chosen lipid
and the examined guest molecule, in order to achieve the
desired lipid:guest molecule molar ratio.
2.1 Preparation of
Liposomes
with Incorporated
Guest Molecules
Maria Chountoulesi et al.
combination of DSC with other methods, such as molecular
dynamic simulations, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction,
can reveal valuable information, such as the conformational
changes of the molecule inserted in the core of the lipidic core
[1–5, 7, 8]. Apart from the model lipid bilayers, the DSC technique is considered to be a useful method for the thermal evaluation of drug delivery nanosystems, consisted of lipid bilayers, such
as liposomes. DSC provides significant information, such as material transitions and metastable phases that are in strict correlation
with the functionality of nanosystems, as well as with their drugrelease kinetic profile and as a result with the pharmacokinetics and
bioavailability of their content drugs. DSC can play an important
role in the design and formulation process of liposomal drug delivery systems and subsequently the production and scale-up process
of safe and effective nanomedicines, eventually increasing their
translational bench-to-clinic efficacy [9, 10].
When liposomal nanosystems are studied with the DSC technique, apart from their incorporated drug content, there is also a
great variety of available biomaterials that can be incorporated into
the liposomal formulation as “guest molecules” and affect the
thermotropic behavior of the liposomal lipidic bilayer [11–15].
Specifically, in order for advanced chimeric liposomal systems to be
prepared, phospholipids are combined with other different-innature biomaterials, such as block copolymers, or even whole different nanosystems, such as dendrimers or nanoparticles, are
loaded into liposomes [16]. Chimeric liposomes are classified as
innovative, next-generation nanosystems with promising therapeutic applications. DSC may provide answers on crucial queries
regarding their properties, such as the cooperativity of the variousin- nature incorporated materials, which is a key parameter, strictly
correlated with their functionality.
The herein presented DSC protocol report has been obtained
through a careful study of the literature referring to lipid bilayers or
liposomes with incorporated small molecules, such as drugs [1–5,
7, 8, 17, 18], as well as to advanced chimeric liposomal bilayers and
systems that incorporate a variety of different guest biomaterials,
such as polymers, dendrimers, and carbon nanotubes [11–15, 19].
2 Materials
Prepare the different liposomal formulations by using the thin-film
hydration method (see Note 1) as follows:
1. Weight carefully the appropriate amounts of the chosen lipid
and the examined guest molecule, in order to achieve the
desired lipid:guest molecule molar ratio.
2.1 Preparation of
Liposomes
with Incorporated
Guest Molecules
Maria Chountoulesi et al.