Roshni Thapa
Kathmandu University, Nepal
Posters-Accepted Abstracts: Nat Prod Chem Res
Over the past several years, great advances have been made on development of novel drug delivery systems for plant actives and extracts. The variety of novel herbal formulations like polymeric nanoparticles, nanocapsules, liposomes, phytosomes, nanoemulsions, microsphere, transferosomes and ethsomes have been reported using bioactives and plant extracts. The novel formulations are reported to have remarkable advantages over conventional formulations which include enhancement of solubility, bioavailability and enhancement of pharmacological activity, improved stability, sustained delivery and protection from physical and chemical degradation. The present work highlights the pharmacological evaluation of methanolic extract of Lactuca sativa which includes anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic anti-microbial action along with anti-oxidant property and hence development of microsphere loaded topical gel to achieve sustained release anti-inflammatory action. The study includes formulation design and development of microsphere by sonication and solvent evaporation techniques. The effect of surfactant and varying polymeric concentrations were the variables used for optimization of formulation and their effect on entrapment efficiency of microsphere as well as drug release from the formulation were analyzed using MINITAB 16. The optimized formulation was loaded into gel for topical application which was subjected to ex vivo permeability study and biological activity was assessed in animal model. The results of final formulation were compared to standard marketed preparation and methanolic extract of the plant. It was concluded that Lactuca sativa possesses potent anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anxiolytic and anti-oxidant properties.
Email: roshni.thapa@ku.edu.np
