CORM-2-entrapped ultradeformable liposomes ameliorate acute skin inflammation in an ear edema model via effective CO delivery

The short release half-life of carbon monoxide (CO) is a major obstacle to the effective therapeutic use of carbon monoxide-releasing molecule-2 (CORM-2). The potential of CORM-2-entrapped ultradeformable liposomes (CORM-2-UDLs) to enhance the release half-life of CO and alleviate skin inflammation was investigated in the present study. CORM-2-UDLs were prepared by using soy phosphatidylcholine to form lipid bilayers and Tween 80 as an edge activator. The deformability of CORM-2-UDLs was measured and compared with that of conventional liposomes by passing formulations through a filter device at a constant pressure. The release profile of CO from CORM-2-UDLs was evaluated by myoglobin assay. In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of CORM-2-UDLs were assessed in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages and TPA-induced ear edema model, respectively. The deformability of the optimized CORM-2-UDLs was 2.3 times higher than conventional liposomes. CORM-2-UDLs significantly prolonged the release half-life of CO from 30 s in a CORM-2 solution to 21.6 min. CORM-2-UDLs demonstrated in vitro anti-inflammatory activity by decreasing nitrite production and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Furthermore, CORM-2-UDLs successfully ameliorated skin inflammation by reducing ear edema, pathological scores, neutrophil accumulation, and inflammatory cytokines expression. The results demonstrate that CORM-2-UDLs could be used as promising therapeutics against acute skin inflammation.