The development and characterization of liposomal formulation of magnesium taurate and studies to evaluate its ocular distribution in cataract / Izza Liyana Azizan

Magnesium taurate is a drug potentially effective in the treatment of cataracts. However, it is a highly hydrophilic compound, which greatly reduces its ophthalmic bioavailability. An effective way to increase the bioavailability is the application of nanotechnology, in particular, the creation of liposomal drug form of magnesium taurate. Presence of amphipathic structures in liposomes facilitates their penetration into the tissue, increase the expense of bioavailability and thus increase distribution of drug throughout the ocular tissue. Liposomes were fabricated by lipid hydration method composed of L-a-phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol, dissolved in chloroform: methanol (5:1) mixture. The steps in the preparation of liposomes included evaporation, cycles of freeze-thaw, sonication and extrusion. After each step of preparation, the samples were collected and the size of liposomes was estimated using ultrasound Shockwave based and dynamic light scattering based zetasizer to compare the suitability of the zetasizer in measuring the size of liposome particle and to see the effectiveness of each steps in liposomal preparation in reducing the liposomal size. 5(6)-Carboxyfluorescein-contained liposome, a hydrophilic probe, was used to evaluate liposomal distribution in ocular tissue.