Liposomes are used as carriers for targeted drug delivery by the intravenous route. The aim of our study was to prepare lomustine loaded liposomes （CCNU-Lips） and evaluate its physicochemical properties and the tissue targeting after intravenous （i.v.） injection. CCNU-Lips were prepared by film dispersion method. In vitro drug release was investigated in phosphate-buffered saline （pH 6.8） at 37℃. The concentrations of CCNU in selected organs were determined using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） following i.v. administration of CCNU-Lips and inclusion complex solution of CCNU with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin （CCNU-Sol）. CCNU-Lips had an average diameter of （189.8±28.5） nm with a zeta potential of （-19.13±0.12） mV and the in vitro drug release was monitored for up to 3 d, and the release behavior was in accordance with Weibull-equation. The CCNU-Lips exhibited a longer elimination half life （t1/2β） in vivo compared with CCNU-Sol after i.v. injection to New Zealand rabbits. The encapsulation of lomustine in liposomes also changed its biodistribution in mice. CCNU-Lips showed significant brain targeting with AUC, Te and Re of the brain all showing obvious elevation. These results indicated that CCNU-Lips were promising passive targeting formulation to the brain.
