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. 2023 Aug 3;22:100751. doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100751

Table 1.

Conventional preparation methods of liposomes and their characteristics.

Methods Advantages Disadvantages References
Thin-film hydration method Simple and maneuverable, this method of production allows for quick and easy production
  • 1.

    Limited drug-carrying capacity.

  • 2.

    Poor stability of prepared liposomes.

 [26,35]
Reverse evaporation Because liposomes contain more aqueous phase, they are ideal for encapsulating proteins or large molecules like DNA, RNA, and other drugs.
  • 1.

    In the production process, the stable W/O emulsion is only suitable for the loading of water-soluble drugs and macromolecular substances.

  • 2.

    The production process may be affected by ultrasonic treatment that degrades lipids or drugs.

 [27,36]
Double emulsion method Multicapsule structures with a non-concentric structure are better suited to encapsulating water-soluble drugs to increase their encapsulation rate, and they have slow release characteristics. The particle size of non-concentric multivesicular liposomes is larger than that of other types and their stability is lower than that of other liposome types. [28]
Freeze drying method Long-term storage is possible with the preparation as it is very stable. Higher production costs due to long freeze-drying processes. [30,37,38]
Ethanol injection method Some unstable drugs can be loaded with this process because it is simple, fast, and reduces the exposure of lipid and encapsulants.
  • 1.

    Liposome suspension concentrations are relatively low since lipids are not easily soluble in ethanol, so lipid dispersion is limited.

  • 2.

    It is difficult to remove ethanol by distillation under vacuum because ethanol and water form an azeotropic mixture.

  • 3.

    Several bioactive macromolecules are destroyed by ethanol even in small amounts.

 [31,39]
Active loading methods In situations where pH and ionic strength are strongly influencing the oil-water partition coefficient, this methods is ideal. Liposomes can only contain weakly basic or weakly acidic drugs, and drugs must not have an electrical charge in order to be loaded into them. [33,40]