Fabrication and characterization of pseudo-ceramide-based liposomal membranes

Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2009 Oct 15;73(2):207-11. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2009.05.019. Epub 2009 May 27.

Abstract

We present a facile and straightforward method to fabricate liposomal membranes with a significantly stable lamellar structure consisting of pseudo-ceramide, fatty acid, and cholesterol. Characterizing their membrane properties, in which we have used differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and FT-IR spectra, enables us to demonstrate that pseudo-ceramide with appropriate amounts of stearic acid and cholesterol can assemble to form a stable lamellar alpha-phase. Moreover, we show that cholesterol is indeed important and plays a role in controlling the melting entropy of lipid membranes, which is attributed to a disordered molecular packing, thus creating more flexible liposomal membranes. This approach to use pseudo-ceramide offers a useful means to fabricate a variety of biocompatible liposomes with controllable membrane properties, which enlarges their applicability in the field of drug delivery, dermatology, and cosmetics.

MeSH terms

  • Calorimetry, Differential Scanning
  • Ceramides / chemistry*
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry
  • Liposomes / chemistry*
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Ceramides
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Liposomes