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Molecular dynamics simulations of a hexagonal liquid crystal phase to study drug partitioning and release mechanisms
Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy.ORCID iD: 0009-0000-9707-9365
Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, research centers etc., Uppsala Antibiotic Center. Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy. (The Swedish Drug Delivery Center (SweDeliver))ORCID iD: 0009-0000-1697-2902
Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy. Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, research centers etc., Uppsala Antibiotic Center. (The Swedish Drug Delivery Center (SweDeliver))ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8917-2612
Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy. Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, research centers etc., Uppsala Antibiotic Center. (The Swedish Drug Delivery Center (SweDeliver))ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5908-9535
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2026 (English)In: Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, ISSN 0927-7765, E-ISSN 1873-4367, Vol. 258, article id 115240Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Liquid crystal nanoparticles (LCNPs), such as hexosomes based on an internal hexagonal phase (HII), enhance lipid nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery by improving drug solubility, stability and absorption. LCNPs can also be tailored for specific biological environments by incorporating non-ester-linker lipids into the HII nanostructure. In this study, we developed an HII model system with a 90:10 phytantriol:farnesol ratio based on experimental data and conducted all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. The model remained stable across various water-to-lipid ratios, and the structural effects observed were consistent with prior experimental data. We used this model to examine the localization and interactions of antibiotics vancomycin and clarithromycin. Clarithromycin, being highly lipophilic, associated mainly with the lipid phase, while vancomycin localized at the water-lipid interface due to its amphiphilic nature. An extended HII system with repeating units enclosed in Pluronic F127 polymers was also constructed. Simulations showed that hydrogen bonding between Pluronic F127 and water facilitated water influx into the HII phase, causing interfacial reorganization. To investigate drug release, we performed umbrella sampling simulations. The resulting energy profiles indicated that polymer-water-lipid interactions lowered the energy barrier for vancomycin release compared to clarithromycin. This was confirmed by in vitro release studies, where vancomycin exhibited a higher release rate. Overall, this model provides molecular-level insights into drug loading, partitioning, and release from HII systems, supporting the design of more effective drug delivery formulations.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2026. Vol. 258, article id 115240
Keywords [en]
Liquid crystal nanoparticle, Non-lamellar, Hexosome, Antibiotics, Vancomycin, Clarithromycin, Molecular dynamics simulation, Drug partitioning, Drug release mechanism
National Category
Physical Chemistry
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-572830DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2025.115240ISI: 001613792100001PubMedID: 41192230OAI: oai:DiVA.org:uu-572830DiVA, id: diva2:2023354
Part of project
The Swedish Drug Delivery Center (SweDeliver), Vinnova
Funder
Vinnova, 2019-00048Swedish Research Council, 2022-06725Available from: 2025-12-19 Created: 2025-12-19 Last updated: 2025-12-19Bibliographically approved

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Altun, DiyarHe, XiguoBergström, Christel A. S.Hubert, MadlenHossain, Shakhawath

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