Phospholipid Raw Material Supply Price, in the Drug Delivery System

Phospholipids are a class of lipid compounds containing phosphate groups and are widely used in drug delivery systems, mainly reflected in the following aspects:

I. As the Main Component of Liposomes

Forming Drug Carriers: Phospholipids are amphiphilic, that is, they have both a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail. They can spontaneously form a lipid bilayer structure in an aqueous solution and then encapsulate drugs to form liposomes. This structure can protect drugs from the influence of the external environment and reduce the premature degradation and inactivation of drugs in the body. For example, encapsulating the anti-tumor drug doxorubicin in liposomes can improve the stability of the drug.

Achieving Targeted Drug Delivery: By modifying specific ligands such as antibodies and polypeptides on the surface of liposomes, liposomes composed of phospholipids can achieve targeted drug delivery. These ligands can bind to specific receptors on the surface of diseased cells, enabling the drug to selectively accumulate at the diseased site, improving the therapeutic effect of the drug and reducing the toxic and side effects on normal tissues. For example, the HER2-targeted liposomal doxorubicin prepared based on phospholipids can precisely act on HER2-positive tumor cells.

Improving Drug Release Characteristics: By adjusting the types and proportions of phospholipids and the preparation process of liposomes, properties such as the particle size and membrane fluidity of liposomes can be regulated, thereby controlling the drug release rate. For example, liposomes prepared with hydrogenated phospholipids have increased membrane rigidity, and the drug release rate is relatively slow, enabling the sustained release of drugs.

II. Used for Preparing Nanoemulsions and Microemulsions

Solubilizing Insoluble Drugs: Phospholipids can be used as emulsifiers to form stable nanoemulsion or microemulsion systems with the oil phase and the water phase. For some insoluble drugs, nanoemulsions and microemulsions can dissolve the drugs in the oil phase or at the interface, greatly improving the solubility and bioavailability of the drugs. For example, formulating lipophilic vitamin D into a nanoemulsion can significantly increase its solubility in water, facilitating oral absorption.

Promoting Drug Absorption: Nanoemulsions and microemulsions have a small particle size and a large specific surface area, which can better interact with biological membranes and promote drug absorption. They can be absorbed through the lymphatic pathway, avoiding the first-pass effect of drugs in the liver. For example, the artemether nanoemulsion prepared with phospholipids as an emulsifier can be quickly absorbed after oral administration, improving the antimalarial effect of artemether.

III. As Materials for Solid Lipid Nanoparticles

Enhancing Drug Stability: Solid lipid nanoparticles are nanoparticles with solid lipids as the core and surfactants such as phospholipids wrapped on the surface. Phospholipids can reduce the interfacial tension between solid lipids and the surrounding medium, keeping solid lipid nanoparticles stable during preparation and storage, and preventing the aggregation of lipids and the leakage of drugs. For example, encapsulating the easily oxidized vitamin A in solid lipid nanoparticles made of phospholipids and stearic acid can improve the stability of vitamin A.

Regulating Drug Release: By selecting lipids with different melting points and crystallization properties and adjusting the amount of phospholipids, the drug release behavior of solid lipid nanoparticles can be regulated. For example, solid lipid nanoparticles prepared with high-melting-point lipids and an appropriate amount of phospholipids have a relatively slow drug release rate, enabling long-acting release.

IV. Used for Preparing Phospholipid Complexes

Improving Drug Properties: Phospholipids can form phospholipid complexes with some drugs through non-covalent interactions, changing the physical and chemical properties of the drugs. For example, after some insoluble drugs form complexes with phospholipids, their crystal forms may change or form an amorphous state, thereby improving the solubility and dissolution rate of the drugs. For example, the water solubility of the complex formed by curcumin and phospholipids is significantly improved.

Enhancing Drug Efficacy: Phospholipid complexes may have unique absorption and distribution characteristics in the body, thereby enhancing the efficacy of drugs. For example, after the phospholipid complexes of certain drugs enter cells, they can release drugs more easily, increasing the concentration of drugs inside the cells and enhancing the effect of the drugs.