Pulsed Magnetic Field Induced Fast Drug Release from Magneto Liposomes via Ultrasound Generation

Abstract

Fast drug delivery is very important to utilize drug molecules that are short-lived under physiological conditions. Techniques that can release model molecules under physiological conditions could play an important role to discover the pharmacokinetics of short-lived substances in the body. Here an experimental method is developed for the fast release of the liposomes' payload without a significant increase in (local) temperatures. This goal is achieved by using short magnetic pulses to disrupt the lipid bilayer of liposomes loaded with magnetic nanoparticles. The drug release has been tested by two independent assays. The first assay relies on the AC impedance measurements of MgSO4 released from the magnetic liposomes. The second standard release assay is based on the increase of the fluorescence signal from 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein dye when the dye is released from the magneto liposomes. The efficiency of drug release ranges from a few percent to up to 40% in the case of the MgSO4. The experiments also indicate that the magnetic nanoparticles generate ultrasound, which is assumed to have a role in the release of the model drugs from the magneto liposomes.

New Developments in Liposomal Drug Delivery

“…As an alternative, short magnetic pulses have been applied to rapidly release cargo from DPPC:DSPC:Chol (88:1:10) MLs, incorporating iron oxide nanoparticles. 306 This work also revealed that the magnetic nanoparticles generated US played a role in the content release from the MLs. Lately, MLs capable of encapsulating hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs have been prepared with a lipid bilayer embedded with a hydrophobic magnetite coated with oleic acid.…”

Doxorubicin encapsulated in stealth liposomes conferred with light-triggered drug release

“…15,16 There has been interest in developing liposomes that effectively encapsulate anti-cancer agents and release them specifically within tumors. To this end, many liposome triggered-release strategies have been developed including activation methods based on pH 17–20 , heat 13,21,22 , enzymes 23,24 , light 3,25,26 and magnetic pulses 27 and thermosensitive liposomes have entered clinical testing for multiple cancer indications. 28 …”

Interplay Between Mechanochemistry and Sonochemistry

“…Proof of concept lies in the release of molecules, such as MgSO4 and 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein, being accomplished from magneto liposomes loaded with Fe3O4 or FePt nanoparticles, both in homogeneous and inhomogeneous magnetic fields [101].…”