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Liposomes
In the field of drug delivery, researchers have been striving to find efficient and safe methods to deliver therapeutic drugs to target cells. Nucleic acids, including mRNA, DNA, and siRNA, hold great promise in treating various diseases by regulating gene expression. However, challenges such as enzymatic degradation, immunogenicity, and low cellular uptake efficiency have hindered their clinical translation. Liposomes are lipid-based multifunctional nanocarriers that have garnered attention for their potential in nucleic acid delivery. Here at BOC Sciences, we are dedicated to assisting you in exploring the complexity of liposomes, nucleic acid delivery mechanisms, and applications through our cutting-edge liposome delivery services.
Browse BOC Sciences' liposome products
What are Liposomes?
Liposomes are spherical vesicles formed by lipid bilayers, primarily composed of natural lipid molecules such as phospholipids and cholesterol. The size of liposomes ranges from 10 nm to micrometers, with a thickness of the phospholipid bilayer membrane of about 4-5 nm. In this structure, hydrophilic drugs can be encapsulated in the aqueous environment inside the liposome, while lipophilic drugs can disperse within the lipid bilayer. The basic components of liposomes typically consist of amphiphilic phospholipids and cholesterol, with the phospholipids forming the bilayer structure and cholesterol supporting and maintaining the bilayer structure. Common phospholipids used include sphingomyelin and glycerophospholipids, both of which have hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail regions. In an aqueous environment, phospholipid molecules spontaneously arrange into liposomes driven by hydrophobic interactions between the tails and other molecular interactions. The role of cholesterol is to promote the packing of lipid chains and the formation of the bilayer, reduce the fluidity of the bilayer, and decrease the transmembrane transport of water-soluble drugs. Moreover, cholesterol can reduce the interaction of liposomes with proteins in the body, decrease phospholipid leakage, thereby enhancing the stability of liposomes.
Figure 1. The structure of liposomes.
Liposome-Based Drug Delivery System
Liposomes have been widely employed as carriers. In the pharmaceutical field, candidate drugs are encapsulated within liposomes and then internalized into cells. In the food and agricultural sectors, unstable compounds such as antioxidants, flavors, antimicrobials, and bioactive elements can be encapsulated within liposomes to form delivery systems, thereby preserving their functionality. Liposomes are favored as drug delivery systems due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity, non-immunogenicity, and their ability to capture both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, simplifying targeted drug delivery to tumor tissues.
Liposome Encapsulation Technology (LET)
Liposome encapsulation technology (LET) represents a cutting-edge delivery system that ensures maximal absorption. LET can encapsulate a plethora of substances and form a barrier around them, capable of resisting enzymes, digestive juices, gut microbiota, alkaline solutions, bile salts, and free radicals in the oral cavity and stomach. Consequently, materials encapsulated within liposomes are shielded from oxidation and degradation. This protective phospholipid barrier remains intact until the liposomal material is delivered to target cells, tissues, or organs and utilized.
BOC Sciences' Liposome Delivery Services
BOC Sciences offers cutting-edge liposome delivery services tailored to meet the diverse needs of researchers and pharmaceutical companies. With expertise in liposome formulation, characterization, and optimization, BOC Sciences provides comprehensive solutions for nucleic acid delivery, including custom liposome synthesis, encapsulation of nucleic acids, and evaluation of delivery efficacy through in vitro and in vivo studies. Leveraging state-of-the-art technologies and a multidisciplinary team of scientists, BOC Sciences is committed to advancing the field of liposome-based drug delivery and accelerating the translation of nucleic acid therapeutics into clinical applications.
Options for Liposome-loaded Nucleic Acids at BOC Sciences
Types of Liposomes Available at BOC Sciences
| Types of Liposome | Description | Price |
| Conventional Liposome | Liposomes are composed of a lipid bilayer, which can consist of cationic, anionic, or neutral (phospho)lipids and cholesterol, enclosing an aqueous core. Both the lipid bilayer and the aqueous space can incorporate hydrophobic or hydrophilic compounds, respectively. | Inquiry |
| PEGylated Liposome | The characteristics and behavior of liposomes in vivo can be altered by adding a hydrophilic polymer coating, polyethylene glycol (PEG), to the liposome surface to confer spatial stabilization. | Inquiry |
| Ligand-targeted Liposome | Liposomes can be utilized for specific targeting by attaching ligands (such as antibodies, peptides, and carbohydrates) to their surface or to the terminal end of the attached PEG chains. | Inquiry |
| Multifunctional Liposome | A single system composed of a nanoparticle, a targeting element, an imaging component (e.g., Gd-DOTA-DSPE for MRI), and a therapeutic component. | Inquiry |
| Environment-Responsive Liposomes | Environment-responsive liposomes are lipid-based vesicles that undergo structural or property changes in response to specific environmental stimuli. These liposomes are designed to release drug payloads or alter their membrane permeability in the presence of particular triggers, such as changes in pH, temperature, light exposure, magnetic field variations, or the presence of specific biomolecules. | Inquiry |
| Dual-Loaded Liposomes | Dual-loaded liposomes often employ a method of loading lipophilic drugs into the phospholipid bilayer and hydrophilic drugs into the aqueous phase inside liposomes to meet the increasing demand for combination therapy due to the diversity of diseased cells. Dual-loaded liposomes commonly adopt a method of loading lipophilic drugs into the phospholipid bilayer and hydrophilic drugs into the aqueous phase inside liposomes. | Inquiry |
Liposome siRNA Delivery from BOC Sciences
Specifically, BOC Sciences has been focused on liposome-based siRNA delivery, which is one of our core business areas. We have successfully assisted clients in expediting their drug development pipelines and advancing research in gene therapy and innovative drug delivery systems. In this field, we offer liposomes loaded with siRNA, providing clients with an efficient delivery platform. Liposome-based siRNA delivery has been a key focus for us, and we have played a pivotal role in accelerating drug development pipelines and advancing research in gene therapy and innovative drug delivery systems. In this realm, we provide liposomes loaded with siRNA, offering clients an efficient delivery platform. Our services primarily include:
- Design, synthesis, purification, and characterization of siRNA
- Preparation of liposomes
- Drug loading (passive or active)
- Freeze-protectant for liposomes (lyophilization)
Advantages of Liposomes in Drug Delivery
Broad Drug Loading Range
Liposomes can accommodate a wide range of drugs: lipid-soluble drugs can be located between the bilayer lipid membrane, amphiphilic drugs can be positioned at the interface between the aqueous phase and the lipid bilayer, and hydrophilic drugs can be located in the aqueous phase.
Diverse Administration Routes
In addition to the most common route of injection, liposomes are also suitable for oral administration, ocular administration, pulmonary inhalation, and transdermal administration.
Targeted Delivery
Conventional liposomes exhibit targeting to liver and spleen tissues, while liposomes modified with monoclonal antibodies and other antibodies can have specific targeting.
Prolonged Duration of Action
Long-circulating liposomes can extend the retention time of drugs in the bloodstream, which is conducive to enhancing drug efficacy.
Good Tissue Compatibility
With a structure similar to biological membranes, liposomes have excellent cell affinity and tissue compatibility. They can adsorb around target cells for a long time and can also enter cells directly, releasing drugs through lysosomal digestion.
Reduction of Drug Toxicity
After encapsulation by liposomes, drugs accumulate much less in the heart and kidneys compared to free drugs, thus reducing drug toxicity, especially for drugs with cardiac or renal toxicity.
Improved Drug Stability
Liposomes can protect drugs that are unstable in specific environments by shielding them within the bilayer lipid membrane, thereby enhancing the stability of certain drugs.
Advantages of BOC Sciences' Liposome Delivery Services
- Expertise and Experience
BOC Sciences brings over 20 years of experience in liposome delivery solutions, supported by a team of expert scientists with in-depth knowledge of liposome formulation and optimization.
- Customized Solutions
We offer fully customizable liposome delivery services tailored to meet the specific needs of each client, ensuring precise encapsulation of nucleic acids and targeted delivery strategies.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities
Equipped with cutting-edge technologies and advanced analytical instruments, our state-of-the-art facilities support the development and characterization of liposome formulations with utmost precision.
- Quality Assurance
We adhere to strict quality control measures throughout the liposome delivery process, guaranteeing the highest purity, potency, and consistency of liposome formulations.
Partner with BOC Sciences for unparalleled expertise, customized solutions, state-of-the-art facilities, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and collaborative partnership opportunities in liposome delivery services. If you need detailed guidance on liposomes delivery, please contact us to learn more with BOC Sciences' experts.
Case Study
Case Study 1 Achieving Rapid Pulmonary Drug Delivery Using a Hybrid Liposome-Extracellular Vesicle (LPs-EVs) Carrier
Figure 2. Post-water removal processing technologies for lipid bilayer vesicles. (LPs and EVs). (X, B. Lin.; et al, 2022)
Rapid and non-invasive pulmonary drug delivery is increasingly gaining attention in the treatment of respiratory system diseases, highlighting limitations of traditional drug delivery methods. This case study focuses on the potential of a hybrid liposome-extracellular vesicle (LPs-EVs) carrier to address this obstacle. LPs are artificially synthesized vesicles with lipid bilayers, while EVs are naturally secreted vesicles by cells. By leveraging the advantages of both, LPs-EVs hybrid vesicles are seen as an ideal carrier for pulmonary drug delivery. Utilizing this hybrid carrier in the study has successfully achieved rapid and effective pulmonary drug delivery, enhancing delivery efficiency and stability. This hybrid vesicle may pave the way for novel approaches in treating respiratory system diseases.
FAQ
1. What is liposomal vitamin C?
Liposomal vitamin C is a form of vitamin C in which ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is encapsulated within tiny vesicles composed of phospholipids, resembling cell membranes, known as liposomes. The primary function of liposomal vitamin C is to protect vitamin C from degradation in the digestive system while enhancing its absorption in the body. Through this encapsulation method, vitamin C can be delivered more effectively to specific cells or tissues in the body, thereby increasing its bioavailability and efficacy.
2. What is liposomal used for?
Overall, liposomes have a wide range of applications in both the medical and cosmetic fields. In medicine, they are used to enhance drug delivery, efficacy, and reduce side effects. In cosmetics, liposomes can deliver active ingredients to deeper layers of the skin and improve the efficacy of skin care products. Their unique structure makes them effective carriers of drugs, nutrients and cosmetics.
3. What is liposomal delivery?
Liposomal delivery employs lipid-based bubbles known as liposomes to ferry drugs or nutrients. These tiny bubbles encase the active ingredients, facilitating their streamlined transport throughout the body. By utilizing this technique, the potency of the compounds can be enhanced while minimizing potential side effects, as it enables precise delivery to designated cells or tissues.
4. What is liposomal glutathione?
Liposomal glutathione refers to a form where the antioxidant glutathione is encapsulated within liposomes. Glutathione is a vital antioxidant in the human body, playing important roles in detoxification, immune function, and protecting cells against oxidative stress. Encapsulating glutathione within liposomes can enhance its stability and bioavailability, making it easier for the body to absorb when taken orally. This improved delivery system helps ensure that more glutathione reaches the cells where it's needed, potentially offering greater therapeutic benefits compared to traditional glutathione supplements.
References
- D, M. Pegtel.; et al. Exosomes. Annual Review of Biochemistry. 2019, 88(1): 487-514.
- X, B. Lin.; et al. A Targeted Sirna-Loaded PDL1-Exosome And Functional Evaluation Againstlung Cancer. Thorac Cancer. 2022, 13(11):1691-702.
* Only for research. Not suitable for any diagnostic or therapeutic use.
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