DMPC and DSPC liposomes were prepared via thin film hydration method followed by sonication. Propranolol solution
was incorporated into liposomes at hydration stage. TEM images showed the sizes of DSPC and DMPC were around
88 and 137 nm, respectively. The highest encapsulation ratio of propranolol was approximately 70% using DSPC/CHO/OCT
liposomes, which release the drug over 60% in 24 h and reached 100% in 48 h. Both propranolol (10−8–10−6 M) and DSCP
liposomes-encapsulated propranolol showed over 1.5-fold increases in the proliferation of human osteoblastic cells hFOB1.19
while differentiation of the cells was approximately doubled by plain and liposomal propranolol, indicating that the stimulatory
effects of liposomal propranolol are similar with those of propranolol on human osteoblastic hFOB1.19 cells. The phosphatidylcholine
liposomes-encapsulated propranolol prepared in this study potentially possesses anabolic effects in vivo and is also a
promising anti-osteoporotic agent in future.
