Physicochemical Characteristics of Liposomal Formulations of Doctor's Formulas' Food Supplements in Biorelevant Dispersion Media

Liposomes exhibit several advantages for delivery of vitamin and food supplements: protect the active substance from oxidation and degradation in acidic pH of stomach, increase the absorption and the bioavailability, in comparison to free and to other conventional pharmaceutical carriers (i.e., tablets, suspension and capsules). The purpose of this investigation is to study and to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of different liposomal formulations of vitamins and food supplements, which were designed and produced based on liposomal technology in different dispersion media mimicking the physiological conditions of gastrointestinal track. The dietary supplements were liposomal vitamin C (Vit C), B-complex, Benfotianime, Glutathione (GSH), R-alpha lipoic acid (lipoic acid), Curcumin and vitamin B12 (Vit B12). The liposomal formulations consist of a complex of phosphatidylcholines (from non-genetically modified vegetable oil) with glycerol and non-genetically modified oleic acid. The liposomal suspensions also contain purified water, stevia, natural orange flavor and potassium sorbate. Dynamic and Electrophoretic Light Scattering Techniques were used in order to determine the size distribution and the ζ-potential of the liposomes of these formulations in different biorelevant media mimicking the different compartments of GI track. The physicochemical characteristics remained unaffected in the stomach in fed and in fasted state. We did not observe any aggregation or sedimentation phenomena. The liposomal carrier was found to be effective for the delivery of nutraceuticals across the stomach, protecting the encapsulated active substance from degradation, oxidation and/or enzymatic attack.