Preparation and characterization of curcumin loaded hybrid pH-sensitive liposomes

Curcumin is a polyphenol compound with pleiotropic antineoplastic activity and low toxicity to normal cells. The clinical realization of its potential is limited due to its unfavorable physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties. A possible approach to overcome these limitations is the encapsulation of curcumin into nanocarriers. The present contribution is focused on elaboration of hybrid pH-sensitive liposomes based on dipalmitoylphosphathydilcholine:cholesterol (DPPC:CHOL) and a pH-sensitive poly(isoprene-b-acrylic acid) (pI-pAA), whereby curcumin is entrapped as a free drug and as a water soluble inclusion complex with polyoxyethylated calix[4]arene, which allows the drug to occupy both the phospholipid membranes and the aqueous core of liposomes