Asgarirad H, Aghababaei M, Amirkhanloo S, Ahmadi S M, Ebrahimi H, Davoodi A et al . Enhancement of Skin Absorption of Propolis Extract through Niosomal Nanovesicle Formulation: Design and Optimization Using the Box-Behnken Method. J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2024; 34 (239) :42-57 URL: http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-20768-en.html
Background and purpose:Herbal medicines have gained significant attention due to their notable therapeutic efficacy and lower incidence of side effects compared to chemical drugs. Propolis, a natural product rich in flavonoid compounds, exhibits a range of therapeutic properties. This study aimed to design and develop novel formulations for the transdermal delivery of propolis extract. Materials and methods:Niosomal nanoparticles containing propolis extract were prepared using the thin-film hydration method. To achieve an optimal formulation, varying amounts of cholesterol and surfactants (Span 60 and Tween 60) were adjusted based on changes in the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB). The cholesterol content, HLB, and surfactant ratios were evaluated and optimized using the Box-Behnken design of experiments, leading to the selection of an appropriate formulation for skin absorption studies. UV spectrophotometry was employed to identify and measure the concentration of flavonoid compounds in the nanoparticles. To assess skin absorption, the diffusion of simple propolis gel and niosomal propolis gel was compared under laboratory conditions using a Franz diffusion cell. Results:A formulation containing 300 mg of cholesterol and 353.9 mg of Span 60 and Tween 60, with an HLB of 11.5, showed the best results in terms of particle size (201.3 nm), dispersion stability, zeta potential, and loading efficiency. These nanoparticles, with their small and optimal size, demonstrated effective penetration into skin layers and significantly enhanced the local absorption of the drug. The results indicated that the niosomal formulation exhibited greater permeability and bioavailability compared to simple propolis gel. Conclusion: This study showed that cholesterol content, surfactant type and ratio, and HLB significantly affect the physicochemical properties and loading capacity of niosomes. Additionally, niosomes substantially enhance the permeability and skin absorption of propolis, demonstrating the high potential of this system in improving skin absorption, solubility, and drug metabolism. Therefore, niosomes can serve as effective carriers for transdermal delivery of herbal extracts.