Perindopril erbumine-entrapped ultradeformable liposomes alleviate sarcopenia via effective skin delivery in muscle atrophy mouse model

Sarcopenia is a pertinent challenge in the super-aged societies causing reduced functional performance, poor quality of life and increased morbidity. In this study, the potential of perindopril erbumine-loaded ultradeformable liposomes (PE-UDLs) against sarcopenia was investigated. PE-UDLs were prepared by thin-film hydration and extrusion method using egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (EPC) as a lipid bilayer former and Tween 80 or sodium deoxycholate as an edge activator. Owing to the smallest particle size (75.0 nm) and the highest deformability (54.2) and entrapment efficiency (35.7 %), PE-UDLs with EPC to Tween 80 ratio of 8:2 was selected as the optimized formulation. The optimized PE-UDLs showed substantially higher cumulative amount of drug permeated and permeation rate across the rat skin compared to PE solution (485.7 vs. 50.1 µg and 13.4 vs. 2.3 µg/cm²/h, respectively). Topically applied PE-UDLs successfully ameliorated the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sarcopenia in mice by improving body weight changes, grip strength and muscle weight. Furthermore, PE-UDLs reduced the shrinkage of muscle fibers as demonstrated by higher cross-sectional area than PE solution. PE-UDLs also increased the expression of myosin heavy chain (MHC) protein and reduced the expression of muscle atrophy F-box (Atrogin-1) and muscle ring-finger protein-1 (MuRF1), thereby improving muscles atrophy. In conclusion, these results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of PE-UDLs against sarcopenia.