Vancomycin hydrochloride is water soluble and poorly absorbable glycopeptide antibiotic act by inhibition of the synthesis of peptidoglycan a major component of bacteria cell wall. It is highly effective against the Staphylococcus aureus and other Staphylococcus species microorganisms. Structurally vancomycin hydrochloride has six peptide bonds with a molecular weight of approximately 1500 Da. Liposomes, the colloidal vesicular structures due to their biphasic environment can act as carriers for both lipophilic & hydrophilic drugs. The encapsulation of antimicrobials in liposomes potentially offers enhanced pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and decreased toxicity. This delivery system has the advantages of targeted, long circulation, low toxicity, sustained-release, no immunogenicity and protecting the encapsulated drugs from the destructive action of the external media. The present research work is planned to develop liposomal formulation of Vancomycin hydrochloride and to study the possibility of permeability enhancement. Liposomes are prepared by using various permeation enhancers like propylene glycol, poly ethylene glycol 400, poly ethylene glycol 600, Tween 80 and Span 60. The prepared liposomes are characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, particle size determination, encapsulation efficiency, FTIR spectroscopy studies and in vitro diffusion studies using dialysis membrane. Among six different liposomes F2 formulation (containing propylene glycol) has showed promising results with respect to drug entrapment and percentage drug release.

The statistical factorial design of liposomal formulations fulfilled all the requirements of the target set and exhibited suitable values for the selected test parameters. Pastilles were prepared for liposomes using glycerol gelatin base and were found to be soft, smooth with uniform drug content and drug release.

Several efforts have been focused on targeted drug delivery systems for delivering a drug to a particular region of the body for better control of systemic as well as local action. Liposomes have proven their efficiency as a choice of carrier for targeting the drugs to the site of action. The main reason for continuous research on liposomes drug delivery is they largely attributed to the fact that they can mimic biological cells. This also means that liposomes are highly biocompatible, making them an ideal candidate for a drug delivery system. The uses found for liposomes have been wide-spread and even include drug delivery systems for cosmetics. Several reports have shown the applicability of liposomal drug delivery systems for their safe and effective administration of different classes of drugs like anti tubercular, anti cancer, antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial, antisense, lung therapeutics, skin care, vaccines and gene therapy. Liposomes are proven to be effective in active or passive targeting. Modification of the bilayer further found to increase the circulation time, improve elasticity, Trigger sensitive release such as pH, ultrasound, heat or light with appropriate lipid compositions. The present chapter focuses on the fundamental aspects of liposomes, their structural components, preparation, characterization and applications.

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