Objective: To prepare genistein liposomes containing cholesterol or stigmasterol

investigate and compare difference of thermal stability of liposomes containing different sterols according to thermodynamic parameters. Method: Blank and drug-containing liposomes were prepared by film dispersion method

Thermodynamic parameters were determined by differential scanning calorimetry technique

which including transition temperature and enthalpy. Result: Both transition temperature and enthalpy of drug-containing liposomes were lower than those of blank liposomes.In the case of the same composition

both transition temperature and enthalpy of liposomes containing stigmasterol were no significant difference to those containing cholesterol. Conclusion: Genistein could incorporate into hydrophobic region of the liposomes membrane and interact with hydrophobic tails of phospholipid molecules

difference of thermal stability between liposomes containing stigmasterol and that containing cholesterol was very small

which imply that cholesterol could be replaced by stigmasterol as membranes component of genistein liposomes.