Physicochemical Characteristics and In Vivo Deposition of Liposome-encapsulated Tea Catechins by Topical and Intratumor Administrations

TLDR: The isomers, (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin, showed different physicochemical properties in liposomes and for local deposition in the skin and tumor and the presence of gallic acid ester in the structure of EGCG significantly increased the tissue uptake of catechins.

Abstract: Tea polyphenols, including (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, and (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), have been shown to possess potent antioxidant and anticancer activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of using liposomes for the local delivery, including skin and tumor deposition, of these polyphenols. Liposomes containing egg phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, or anionic species were prepared by a solvent evaporation method and then were subjected to a probe sonicator. The size, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency of these liposomal formulations were determined to provide correlations with results from a subsequent in vivo study. The release rate study showed that inclusion of an anionic species, such as deoxycholic acid (DA) or dicetyl phosphate (DP), increased the permeability of the lipid bilayers, leading to the rapid release of these formulations. No significant increase in skin deposition of catechins was observed after topical application of liposomes. On the other ha...