FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PHYTO-PHOSPHOLIPID COMPLEXES OF MEDICINAL PLANT EXTRACT OF OPUNTIA FICUS-INDICA
Ayushi, Akhlesh Kumar Singhai, Ms. Steffi Thomas
ABSTRACT
The study aimed to formulate and characterize phyto-phospholipid complexes of Opuntia ficus-indica extract to enhance its bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. The hydroalcoholic extract of Opuntia ficus-indica yielded 13.8% and was subjected to phytochemical screening, revealing the presence of glycosides, phenols, proteins, saponins, and tannins. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were quantified as 0.765 mg/100 mg and 0.841 mg/100 mg, respectively. Various formulations of phyto-phospholipid complexes were prepared and evaluated for particle size and entrapment efficiency. The optimized formulation, F10, demonstrated a particle size of 310.32 nm and an entrapment efficiency of 74.65%. In-vitro drug release studies indicated a sustained release profile, with the Korsmeyer-Peppas model providing the best fit (R² = 0.956). These results suggest that phyto-phospholipid complexes significantly improve the stability and bioavailability of Opuntia ficus-indica extracts, highlighting their potential for enhanced therapeutic applications.
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