EVALUATION OF THE ANTISCHISTOSOMAL EFFECT OF PRAZIQUANTEL IN A LIPOSOMAL DELIVERY SYSTEM IN MICE

Praziquantel liposomes were prepared from different mole fractions of L-alpha-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and cholesterol according to th e thin film method. The liposomes having optimum loading capacity for the drug were evaluated regarding their targeting properties towards t he liver in mice. The results revealed pronounced targeting to the liv er as well as sustained release properties which reflect its prophylac tic action of the encapsulated drug towards schistosomiasis. This was clearly demonstrated by an increase in the survival rate of mice as we ll as a statistically significant decrease in the hepatic worm count.