DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF FERULIC ACID-LOADED LIPOSOMES FOR HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS
Abstract
The following study aimed to formulate Ferulic acid loaded liposomes (FA-Lip) and to investigate their hepatoprotective effect in rats. CCL4 was used to induce hepatotoxicity. FA-Lip were prepared by thin film hydration method that was followed by extrusion technique. The physicochemical properties of FA-Lip were analyzed, including entrapment efficiency, particle size, surface charge, crystallinity, and thermal behaviour. The liposomes thus produced, exhibited a particles size of 103.1 ± 0.4 nm having 75.66 ± 3.05 percent of drug loading within its outer core. Unimodal graph was obtained, PDI 0.122 ± 0.001 and particles having a zeta potential - 6.58 ± 1.17 mV were projected using zeta sizer. The FA-Lip in vitro release profile was investigated using the dialysis bag method in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) at 7.4 pH. The release study shows pattern of biphasic release with initial faster release followed by sustained release of FA from FA-Lip. Furthermore, thermal and crystalline behavior upon estimation presented amorphous nature of prepared nanoparticles and no chemical interaction was found in FTIR analysis. Whereas, in vivo pharmacodynamic models; significant improvement in the hepatoprotective activity confirmed in FA-Lip group as compared to control group and FA dispersion. Concluded, the therapeutic potential of FA was successfully enhanced by loading in liposomes.
Keywords: ferulic acid, liposomes, Carbon tetrachloride, hepatotoxicity
