Layer-by-layer assembly of chitosan stabilized multilayered liposomes for paclitaxel delivery

Abstract Paclitaxel (PTX) loaded multilayered liposomes were prepared using layer-by-layer assembly in an effort to improve the stabilization of the liposomal compositions for PTX delivery. Stearyl amine was used to provide positive charge to the PTX-liposomes, and subsequently coated with anionic polyacrylic acid (PAA) followed by cationic chitosan. Various process variables were optimized and the optimum formulation was found to have particle size of 215 ± 17 nm, zeta potential of +27.9 ± 3.4 mV and encapsulation efficiency of 70.93 ± 2.39%. The lyophilized chitosan–PAA–PTX–liposomes formulation was stable in simulated gastrointestinal fluids and at different environmental conditions (4 °C and 25 °C). In vitro drug release experiments demonstrated that chitosan–PAA–PTX-liposomes formulation exhibited obvious sustained release behaviors compared to PTX-liposomes. Furthermore, chitosan–PAA–PTX-liposomes formulation revealed enhanced PTX induced cytotoxicity in human cervical cancer cell culture experiments compared to PTX-liposomes. In conclusion, the approach presented herein will provide a promising solution for PTX delivery.