Glyceryl Monostearate: Probing the Self Assembly of a Lipid Amenable To Surface Modification for Hepatic Targeting

Abstract

Glyceryl monostearate (GMS) is a single-tailed lipidic monoglyceride commonly used as a nontoxic food additive. In this study, we have investigated GMS, specifically its self-assembling properties and subsequent application in drug delivery. Results from in silico modeling, corroborated by complementary small-angle neutron scattering, demonstrated vesicle formation; associated phase transitions were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry; dynamic light scattering revealed particle size alterations that occurred in the transition region. Spherical morphology of unilamellar vesicles was visualized using transmission electron microscopy imaging. Further, hydrophilic and hydrophobic drug loading in GMS vesicles and their amenability to surface modification for hepatic targeting have, in this study, been both predicted through molecular simulation study and demonstrated experimentally. The influence of hepatotropic ligands on the stability of drug-loaded GMS vesicles vis-à-vis cholesterol has also been investigated; the resulting GMS-based drug delivery vehicle, its properties enhanced through surface decoration, is envisaged to achieve targeted delivery of its payload to hepatocytes.