DEVELOPMENT OF LIPOSOMAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR TARGETED DELIVERY OF 5-FLUOROURACIL (5-FU)

The present study was aimed at the formulation and evaluation of 5-Fluorouracil-loaded liposomes to enhance drug encapsulation, provide sustained drug release, and improve formulation stability. Liposomes were prepared using the thin-film hydration method by varying the concentration of cholesterol while maintaining a constant concentration of phosphatidylcholine. FTIR compatibility studies demonstrated the absence of significant interactions between the drug and excipients, confirming their compatibility.SEM analysis revealed that the prepared liposomes were spherical in shape with smooth surface morphology. The particle size of the formulations ranged from 175 to 258 nm, with formulation F3 exhibiting the smallest particle size (175 nm). Drug entrapment efficiency was found to vary among the formulations, with F3 showing the highest entrapment efficiency of 85.19%.In vitro drug release studies demonstrated sustained release behavior over an 8-hour period, with formulation F3 exhibiting the highest cumulative drug release of 98.51%. Stability studies conducted under various storage conditions (25°C/60% RH, 30°C/75% RH, and 40°C/75% RH) for three months indicated no significant changes in the physicochemical characteristics or drug release profile of the optimized formulation, confirming its stability.The findings of this study suggest that 5-Fluorouracil-loaded liposomes represent a promising drug delivery system capable of providing enhanced drug entrapment, sustained release, and improved stability. Among the developed formulations, F3 was identified as the optimized formulation based on its superior physicochemical characteristics and release profile. Further in vivo studies are warranted to establish the therapeutic efficacy and clinical applicability of the developed liposomal formulation. Keywords: 5-Fluorouracil, Liposomes, Thin-Film Hydration Method, Entrapment Efficiency, Sustained Drug Release, Stability Studies.