PEGylated Lipova E120 liposomes loaded with celecoxib: in-vitro characterization and enhanced in-vivo anti-inflammatory effects in rat models.

The goal of the current investigation was to prepare PEGylated Lipova E120 liposomes loaded with celecoxib for the effective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). PEGylated liposomes were prepared and were characterized using techniques such as particle size distribution, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency and in-vitro release, in-vivo and stability studies. The morphological study was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. To determine the interaction between drug and polymer Fourier transform infrared, Raman, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry studies were performed. Results show that formulation F6 was optimized with a particle size of 92.12 +/- 1.7 nm, a PDI of 0.278 +/- 0.22, a zeta potential of - 40.8 +/- 1.7 mV with a maximum encapsulation of 96.6 +/- 0.05% of drug in the PEGylated liposomes. The optimized formulation shows a maximum release of drug i.e. 94.45 +/- 1.13% in 72 h. Tail immersion assay shows that the optimized formulation F6 significantly increases the reaction time and carrageenan-induced assay shows that the optimized formulation inhibits the increase in paw edema thus providing a pain relief treatment in RA. These results suggest that the PEGylated liposomes provide a sustained release of celecoxib and helps in effective treatment of RA.