Liposomal Encapsulation of Carob (<i>Ceratonia siliqua</i> L.) Pulp Extract: Design, Characterization, and Controlled Release Assessment
<b>Background:</b> Carob (<i>Ceratonia siliqua</i> L.) pulp flour is primarily used in the food industry. As a rich source of bioactive compounds, particularly polyphenols, it holds promise for pharmaceutical formulation research and development. <b>Objectives:</b>...
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| Format: | Article |
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2025-06-01
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| Series: | Pharmaceutics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/6/776 |
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| author | Aleksandra A. Jovanović Dragana Dekanski Milena D. Milošević Ninoslav Mitić Aleksandar Rašković Nikola Martić Andrea Pirković |
| author_facet | Aleksandra A. Jovanović Dragana Dekanski Milena D. Milošević Ninoslav Mitić Aleksandar Rašković Nikola Martić Andrea Pirković |
| author_sort | Aleksandra A. Jovanović |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background:</b> Carob (<i>Ceratonia siliqua</i> L.) pulp flour is primarily used in the food industry. As a rich source of bioactive compounds, particularly polyphenols, it holds promise for pharmaceutical formulation research and development. <b>Objectives:</b> This study focused on developing liposomal particles loaded with carob pulp extract using the proliposome method, followed by modifications through UV irradiation and sonication. <b>Methods:</b> The resulting liposomes were analyzed for encapsulation efficiency, vesicle size, polydispersity index (PDI), mobility, zeta potential, viscosity, surface tension, density, antioxidant activity, FT-IR spectra, and release kinetics under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. In addition, nanoparticle tracking analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used for liposomal characterization. <b>Results:</b> The findings revealed a high encapsulation efficiency across all samples (>70%). The particle size and PDI measurements confirmed the presence of a multilamellar and uniform liposomal system before post-processing modifications. The medium value of zeta potential suggested a moderately electrostatically stabilized liposomal suspension. The sonicated liposomes demonstrated a higher concentration of vesicles in comparison to non-treated and UV-irradiated samples. TEM analysis revealed purified liposomal vesicles with preserved structural integrity. Encapsulation, as well as UV irradiation and sonication of liposomes, did not diminish the extract’s anti-DPPH activity. However, the ABTS radical scavenging potential of the pure extract was significantly lower compared to its encapsulated counterparts. UV irradiation and sonication notably reduced the anti-ABTS capacity of the extract-liposome system. Monitoring the release of bioactive compounds demonstrated controlled delivery from liposomal particles under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. <b>Conclusions:</b> Overall, liposomal formulations of carob pulp extract exhibit significant potential for further development as a functional food ingredient or for use in the prevention and treatment of various diseases. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a4d25ad2f0604b91b614bb82f589b373 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1999-4923 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharmaceutics |
| spelling | doaj-art-a4d25ad2f0604b91b614bb82f589b3732025-08-20T03:27:39ZengMDPI AGPharmaceutics1999-49232025-06-0117677610.3390/pharmaceutics17060776Liposomal Encapsulation of Carob (<i>Ceratonia siliqua</i> L.) Pulp Extract: Design, Characterization, and Controlled Release AssessmentAleksandra A. Jovanović0Dragana Dekanski1Milena D. Milošević2Ninoslav Mitić3Aleksandar Rašković4Nikola Martić5Andrea Pirković6Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy INEP, University of Belgrade, 11080 Belgrade, SerbiaInstitute for the Application of Nuclear Energy INEP, University of Belgrade, 11080 Belgrade, SerbiaInstitute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaInstitute for the Application of Nuclear Energy INEP, University of Belgrade, 11080 Belgrade, SerbiaDepartment of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaDepartment of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaInstitute for the Application of Nuclear Energy INEP, University of Belgrade, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia<b>Background:</b> Carob (<i>Ceratonia siliqua</i> L.) pulp flour is primarily used in the food industry. As a rich source of bioactive compounds, particularly polyphenols, it holds promise for pharmaceutical formulation research and development. <b>Objectives:</b> This study focused on developing liposomal particles loaded with carob pulp extract using the proliposome method, followed by modifications through UV irradiation and sonication. <b>Methods:</b> The resulting liposomes were analyzed for encapsulation efficiency, vesicle size, polydispersity index (PDI), mobility, zeta potential, viscosity, surface tension, density, antioxidant activity, FT-IR spectra, and release kinetics under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. In addition, nanoparticle tracking analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used for liposomal characterization. <b>Results:</b> The findings revealed a high encapsulation efficiency across all samples (>70%). The particle size and PDI measurements confirmed the presence of a multilamellar and uniform liposomal system before post-processing modifications. The medium value of zeta potential suggested a moderately electrostatically stabilized liposomal suspension. The sonicated liposomes demonstrated a higher concentration of vesicles in comparison to non-treated and UV-irradiated samples. TEM analysis revealed purified liposomal vesicles with preserved structural integrity. Encapsulation, as well as UV irradiation and sonication of liposomes, did not diminish the extract’s anti-DPPH activity. However, the ABTS radical scavenging potential of the pure extract was significantly lower compared to its encapsulated counterparts. UV irradiation and sonication notably reduced the anti-ABTS capacity of the extract-liposome system. Monitoring the release of bioactive compounds demonstrated controlled delivery from liposomal particles under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. <b>Conclusions:</b> Overall, liposomal formulations of carob pulp extract exhibit significant potential for further development as a functional food ingredient or for use in the prevention and treatment of various diseases.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/6/776carob pulp extractliposomal formulationencapsulation efficiencyantioxidant activitycontrolled release |
| spellingShingle | Aleksandra A. Jovanović Dragana Dekanski Milena D. Milošević Ninoslav Mitić Aleksandar Rašković Nikola Martić Andrea Pirković Liposomal Encapsulation of Carob (<i>Ceratonia siliqua</i> L.) Pulp Extract: Design, Characterization, and Controlled Release Assessment Pharmaceutics carob pulp extract liposomal formulation encapsulation efficiency antioxidant activity controlled release |
| title | Liposomal Encapsulation of Carob (<i>Ceratonia siliqua</i> L.) Pulp Extract: Design, Characterization, and Controlled Release Assessment |
| title_full | Liposomal Encapsulation of Carob (<i>Ceratonia siliqua</i> L.) Pulp Extract: Design, Characterization, and Controlled Release Assessment |
| title_fullStr | Liposomal Encapsulation of Carob (<i>Ceratonia siliqua</i> L.) Pulp Extract: Design, Characterization, and Controlled Release Assessment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Liposomal Encapsulation of Carob (<i>Ceratonia siliqua</i> L.) Pulp Extract: Design, Characterization, and Controlled Release Assessment |
| title_short | Liposomal Encapsulation of Carob (<i>Ceratonia siliqua</i> L.) Pulp Extract: Design, Characterization, and Controlled Release Assessment |
| title_sort | liposomal encapsulation of carob i ceratonia siliqua i l pulp extract design characterization and controlled release assessment |
| topic | carob pulp extract liposomal formulation encapsulation efficiency antioxidant activity controlled release |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/6/776 |
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