Synthesis and study of cellular and physicochemical properties of nanoliposomes containing aqueous extract of Hedera Helix

The use of medical herbs because of their reasonable price and availability is rapidly increasing but it faces many challenges. Researchers are trying to overcome these challenges by designing nano-drug delivery carriers such as liposome. In this study, a formulation of liposomal system containing Hedera Helix extract was synthesized and its toxicity on normal cells and physicochemical characteristics were evaluated.

  In the first step, extraction of Hedera Helix was done by succulent method. In the next step, nano-liposomes were prepared by thin film method from phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol and by using hydration inactive method the extract was loaded into them. Then the encapsulation rate and the release pattern were assayed by spectrophotometry method, the size of nanoparticles and their zeta potential were evaluated by the DLS, the non-interaction between the extract and the nanosystem was assessed by FT-IR technique and the morphology of the nanoparticles was examined by AFM microscope and finally the non-toxicity of the system on normal cells was assayed by MTT method.

The results of this study showed that nano-liposomes containing Hedera Helix extract having 48.6 nm of diameter, 0.406 dispersion index, -37.3 ± 1.72 mV zeta potential and 82.67 ± 1.12 encapsulation efficiency are follow the slow releasing drug pattern. FTIR and AFM data demonstrated that there is no interaction between the extract and nanoliposomes and nanoliposomes have appropriate morphology. Finally, the results of the MTT assay confirmed the non-toxicity activity of nano-liposome.

In this study, physicochemical studies of nanosystems after loading Hedera Helix extract into liposomal nanosystems showed that the system is a slow-release and anionic type with acceptable size, morphology and acceptable encapsulation rate. The synthesized liposomes could be a suitable carrier for the Hedera Helix extract and increase its stability, solubility and thus improve its therapeutic performance.