Encapsulation of vinblastine into new liposome formulations prepared from triticum (wheat germ) lipids and its activity against human leukemic cell lines

Liposomes prepared from lipids isolated from Triticum sp. (wheat germ) were used to investigate the percentage of Vinblastine encapsulation and its re tention into liposomes. The wheat germ total lipids (TL) were extracted by the Bligh-Dyer method and the lipid classes have been isolated using chroma tographic techniques. The type of lipids and their percentage content have been examined by TLC coupled with an FID (latroscan). Two liposomal formula tions, i.e., I and II with encapsulated vinblastine, and formulation III (e mpty liposomes) have been prepared by thin film hydration method. The cytot oxic/cytostatic activity of these liposomal formulations have been examined against nine human leukemic cell lines. The results showed that the percen tage content of vinblastine into liposomes I and II depended an the lipid c omposition and it was greater into formulation II (>90%). The retention of the drug into liposomes was studied and found to be time-dependent at 37 de grees C. For the cytotoxic/cytostatic activity the parameters GI(50), TGI, LC50 were estimated according to the instructions given by the NCI. The res ults shaw that formulation III (empty liposomes), exhibited a growth inhibi ting activity, against the most tested cell lines. Formulation II showed me an of LC50 at 124.6 nM, mean of TGI at 71.6 nM and mean of GI(50) at 30.8 n M.