Preparation of galactosylated curcumol liposomes

Curcumol (Cur), which is the primary active anti-liver cancer component of Chinese traditional medicine Rhizoma zedoariae , was encapsulated in galactosylated liposomes to enhance its liver-targeting efficacy. In this study, we optimized the preparation methods, prescription, and process of galactosylated curcumol liposomes (Gal-Cur-L). The experimental results showed that the encapsulation efficiency, particle diameter, and stability coefficient of Gal-Cur-L obtained by the two-step emulsification method were improved compared with those of it obtained by other methods. Single-factor investigation showed that two factors, pH and the amount of triolein, contribute at least partly to the encapsulation efficiency and particle diameter of Gal-Cur-L. The best prescription and process were obtained through orthogonal test: the ratio of lecithin to cholesterol was 2:1, the ratio of drug to lipid was 1:2, and the amount of ether and Twain-80 were 4 ml and 1.6 g/L, respectively, 15 min for ultrasonic time, 100 W for ultrasonic power, and 20 min for homogeneous time. Using the best method, prescription, and process mentioned earlier, the basic test results of Gal-Cur-L were obtained, which demonstrated that our methods, prescription, and process of Gal-Cur-L were applicable. The encouraging results of this study provided references for the research of liver-targeting reagents of curcumol.