Formulation and evaluation of Annona squamosa hydroalcoholic extract loaded phytosomes

The objective of the present study was to prepare phytosomal formulation loaded with hydroalcoholic extract of Annona squamosa leaf. The extraction of leaf powder was done by maceration technique using 10:90, water: ethanol mixture with an extraction yield of 11.3%. The extract was found to contain alkaloids, glycosides, proteins, phenols, flavonoids and triterpenes. Phytosomes of the extract were prepared by solvent evaporation method using lecithin as the lipid molecule. The particle size of the phytosomes was from 678 nm to 2617 nm in size with a polydispersity index varying between 0.368 - 0.718. The phytosomes were visible as rigid, spherical vesicles in SEM image. The surface of the phytosome vesicles was found to be regular and smooth. Sharp and distinct endothermic peaks in DSC revealed the formulation of stable phytosomes due to molecular interactions between the extract and lecithin. The phytosomes exhibited antiinflammatory action in the in vitro assays by inhibiting albumin denaturation and protease activity. The phytosomes were found to be stable under the storage conditions. The best formulation with respect to particle size and anti-inflammatory action was ASP 4 that contained 2:0.5 ratio of lecithin: extract.