In vivo study of liposomes as drug carriers to oral mucosa using EPR oximetry.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to select the best types of liposomes for use as drug carriers for topical treatment of oral mucosal lesions. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry, using the paramagnetic probe lithium phthalocyanine, was used in vivo to measure the effects of a hyperemic drug, benzyl nicotinate (BN) which was incorporated into liposomes of varying size and composition. The liposomes were made from either hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated soy lecithin and mixed with polymethyl methacrylate ointment for application. EPR oximetry was used to measure the partial pressure of oxygen ( p O 2 ) in the oral mucosa before and after application of liposomes. It was found that the most pronounced changes of p O 2 in oral mucosa and also the longest action of the drug occurred after the topical application of BN in multi-lamellar liposomes made from hydrogenated soy lecithin ( p p O 2 increased the most on the first day, the effect gradually decreased following application on the second and third days. The duration of the resulting hyperemia was the longest on the second day ( p