Preparation and characterization of liposomes containing essential oil of satureja to improve the therapeutic effect

Komeil Aghaei kouhi,1 Seyed mohammad moosavi zadeh,2 Raheleh ehsani,3 Elyas sharifi,4 Bibi fatemeh haghiralsadat,5,*

1. Department of Loboratory Sciences, School of Paramedicine, Shahid Sadoughi university of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
2. Department of Loboratory Sciences, School of Paramedicine, Shahid Sadoughi university of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
3. Nano-biotech foresight company biotechnology campus, Sciences and Technology park of Yazd
4. Nano-biotech foresight company biotechnology campus, Sciences and Technology park of Yazd
5. Department of Advanced Medical Sciences, School of Paramedicine, Shahid Sadoughi university of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

Abstract


Introduction

Herbal essential oils have a wide spectrum of biological activity in several fields, from food chemistry to pharmaceutics. the essential oil of satureja possesses various antioxidant and antibacterial properties. however, most essential oils are biologically unstable, poorly soluble in water, sensitivity to oxidation and they are distributed ineffectively to the target sites. the new methods have been developed in order to overcome these challenges, among these is the encapsulation of the essential oils in nanoliposomes. nanoliposomes are one of the most important drug carriers. the aim of this research was the encapsulation of satureja essential oil in nanoliposome to improve their stability and therapeutic index.

Methods

Essential oil of satureja was extracted by steam distillation method using a clevenger apparatus and then gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy were used to identify the extracted compounds. liposomal vesicles containing satureja essential oil were prepared using (phosphatidylcholine) spc, cholesterol by thin film hydration method and the size was reduced by sonication device. nanoparticles were analyzed for particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, morphology and in vitro release.

Results

Results showed that the mean volumetric diameters of liposomes were at the range below 200 nm and the surface charge of nanoparticle was negative. the encapsulation efficiency of entrapped essential oil was 42.86%. the release of satureja essential oil from liposome was controlled and time-dependent.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicated that the encapsulation of satureja essential oil into nanoliposomal carriers lead to improving the stability, solubility and therapeutic effect of satureja essential oil and reduces its volatility.

Keywords

Drug delivery, essential oil, liposome, satureja, stability