Three cholesterol derivatives containing an azobenzene moiety with different polarities were designed and synthesized (AB lipids 1 to 3). The effects of structure, temperature and incorporation ratio on liposomes were studied, with the results showing that the polarity in 4-substituent and in some cases, 4'-substituent may be important for their incorporation feasibility and photoisomerizability in liposomes. Liposomes incorporated with AB lipid 3 could release multi-pulsatilely upon UV and visible light irradiation both in gel state and liquid crystal state of liposomes. An increase in the incorporation ratio of AB lipid 3 enhanced the amount of drug released greatly. Unlike other azobenzene photo-triggers reported, AB lipid 3 did not increase the spontaneous release of liposomes. Furthermore, cholesterol suppressed the spontaneous release of liposomes.

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