Solid dispersion and effervescent techniques used to prepare docetaxel liposomes for lung-targeted delivery system: in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

A lung-targeting liposomal docetaxel was developed to improve therapeutic index and to reduce side effects. Docetaxel proliposomes composed of docetaxel/Tween-80/Phospholipon 90H/cholesterol/citric acid at molar ratio of 0.18:0.09:3.78:3.78:91.17 were prepared by solid dispersion technique, and then were hydrated with NaHCO₃ solution to obtain docetaxel liposomes by effervescent technique. The stability of proliposomes containing docetaxel, characterization and evaluation of lung-targeting effect of docetaxel liposomes in rabbit were studied. Docetaxel proliposomes were stable at 6 ± 2°C for at least 12 months. The particle size, zeta-potential, and entrapment efficiency of the resulted liposomes were 1011 ± 22 nm, -23.7 ± 0.26 mv, and 90.12 ± 0.36%, respectively. As far as the targeting parameters are concerned, the relative intake rate (R(e)) and the ratio of peak concentration (C(e)) of lung were 28.91 and 74.28, respectively. Compared with liver, spleen, and kidney, the ratios of targeting efficacy (T(e))(liposomes) to (T(e))(injection) of lung were increased by a factor of 3.16, 23.00, and 27.83, respectively. In conclusion, the negatively charged docetaxel liposomes with diameter of about 1 µm described in this study have favorable lung-targeting effect and are a promising lung-targeting carrier.