FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF HERBAL EXTRACT LOADED NIOSOMAL GEL

*Chirayu Jayant Sharma, Prof. S. S. Kulkarni, Dr. Aijaz A. Sheikh and Dr. K. R. Biyani

ABSTRACT

Because of their impact on pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and toxicity, niosomes play an essential role in medication administration. Niosomes, when applied topically, reduce drug absorption and increase medicine retention in the epidermis and stratum corneum. Additionally, niosomes can store medications and modulate their release rate and binding affinity at the target region. The possible medicinal plant Colocasia esculenta Linn is well-known for the flavonoids, β-sitosterol, and steroids it contains. Vitamin C abounds in the plant's leaves, whereas carbohydrates and other nutrients are abundant in the root. Colocasia esculenta juice extract has central nervous system effects, is an expectorant, helps with hair loss, lowers blood pressure, and stimulates the central nervous system. It reduces inflammation, alleviates pain, prevents diabetes, protects the liver from damage, and kills microbes. Thin film hydration was used to prepare Herbal Extract loaded Niosomes (HEN) with varying ratios of non-ionic surfactants (Soya Lacithin) and cholesterol (CHO), with the goals of improving the low skin penetration and minimising the side effects associated with topical conventional drug administration. Size, shape, entrapment efficiency, stability, antibacterial study, and in vitro drug release were some of the criteria used to assess the formulations. This study found that the entrapment efficiency and drug release rate from niosomes were affected by the kind of surfactant and the amount of CHO. The drug release was greater in the formulation with a surfactant to CHO ratio of 1.55:0.75. Research suggests that a gel formulation using Niosomes loaded with Herbal Plant Extract might have potential benefits. Niosomes demonstrated a longer duration of action compared to formulations using non-niosomal Herbal Plant Extract Niosomes, and they have the potential to be effectively developed to enhance antimicrobial activity.

Keywords: Niosomes; Colocasia esculenta; Herbal Plant Extract Niosomes; non-ionic surfactants; microbial activity.