Preparation of Liposome Entrapping Pluchea indica Less. Leaf Extracts for Application in Cosmetic Products

Abstract

This study was aimed to prepare the liposome entrapped extract from leaves of
Pluchea indica Less for application in cosmetic products. An extract of dried P.indica
leaves was produced by a maceration technique using 95% ethanol. The crude extract
was tested for antioxidant activity, according to the DPPH assay. The extract exhibited
dose-dependent antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 0.27±0.002 mg/mL; this extract
was compared to positive controls, L-ascorbic acid and butyl hydroxytoluene (BHT).
The phenolic and flavonoid contents in P.indica extract were investigated. The phenolic
and flavonoid contents were 280.30±10.0 mgGAE/g extract and 542.1±5.71 mgQE/g extract,
respectively, determined by the Folin-Ciocaltue assay and the aluminium chloride
method, respectively. The tyrosinase inhibitory activity of the extract was assayed by the
dopachrome method using tyrosine as a substrate. The results found that the P.indica
extract possessed tyrosinase inhibition activity with an IC50 value of 0.0038±0.01 mg/mL
compared to kojic acid, used as a positive control. The reverse phase evaporation method
was utilized to obtain well-form P.indica extract entrapped liposomes. The prepared
liposomes displayed a mean particle size of 445.3±11.3 nm, with a minimum
polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.36±0.01. The entrapment efficiency of liposome loading
P.indica extract was found to be 63.61± 2.58%, obtained by incorporating Lipoid ®
(phospholipid) and cholesterol 2:1 molar ratio. The sum of the findings indicate possible
applications for the P.indica extract in skin lightening cosmetic products.