Preparation, relative toxicity, chemotherapeutic activity, and pharmacokinetics of liposomal SJA-95: a new polyene macrolide antibiotic.

The research work was designed to compare the relative toxicity, chemotherapeutic activity, and pharmacokinetic parameters of liposomal incorporated SJA-95 with that of free SJA-95, with an objective to reduce toxicity and improve therapeutic activity in vivo. Liposomal-incorporated SJA-95 (Lip SJA-95), prepared using the proliposome method, was found to exhibit a higher LD(50) value in mice, and the relative toxicity was about 2.5 times lower than that of the free drug. Lip SJA-95 treatment in experimental mice model of Candidiasis showed increased survival and reduced fungal loads in various organs. The pharmacokinetic profile of the free and liposomal drug was evaluated by administration of free and Lip SJA-95 intravenously to healthy albino rabbits in a crossover fashion. Lip SJA-95 showed an initial fall in plasma levels and longer half-life. The improved microbial clearance following treatment with Lip SJA-95 could be attributed partly to an increased tissue uptake, which was reflected in a marked increase in volume of distribution (V(d)) and longer half-life (T(1/2)). The present results clearly indicated that Lip SJA-95 treatment led to prolonged survival time, effective microbiological clearance, and reduced toxicity in the mice model of Candidiasis.