Curcumin-loaded chitosan liposomes for the treatment of rabbit corneal alkali burns / 国际药学研究杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of the novel curcumin-loaded chitosan liposomes on rabbit alkaline burns. Methods Curcumin-loaded chitosan liposomes were prepared with a film method. The particle sizes, zeta potentials and encapsulation efficiencies of liposomes were determined. Rabbits were randomly divided into four groups the physiological saline group, the blank chitosan coated liposomes group, the dexamethasone group, and the curcumin-loaded chitosan liposomes group. The rabbit corneal alkaline burn models were built and respectively processed with the above medicines. The corneal neovascularization (CNV) and proportion of corneal epithelium healing were analyzed with the slit-lamp microscope and digital photographs. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was examined with an immunohistochemical method. Results The curcumin-loaded chitosan liposomes had the particle size of 96.6±14.7 nm, with the average zeta potential of 58.8±2.3 mV, and the encapsulation efficiency of 51.41±1.1%. The CNV was effectively inhibited and the expression of VEGF decreased due to the curcumin-loaded chitosan liposomes and dexamethasone. Furthermore, the curcumin-loaded chitosan liposomes improved epithelial healing of corneal more effectively than dexamethasone. Conclusion The encapsulation efficiency of the curcumin-loaded chitosan liposomes was high. The effects of the curcumin-loaded chitosan liposomes on inhibition of CNV and improvement of healing of cornea epithelium were obvious. Curcumin-loaded chitosan liposomes are novel ophthalmic delivery formulations for the treatment of corneal alkaline burns.