Development of novel freeze-dried mulberry leaves extract-based transfersomal gel

Nowadays, an antioxidant is important for health associated concern in concert with acne vulgaris. Acne vulgaris is interrelated to the development of free radicals that unite with cells. Mulberry leaves have phenolic compounds that include antioxidants like quercetin. An antioxidant is a scavenger of free radicals. The current study deals with the development of mulberry leaves extract-based transfersomes gel containing quercetin by a thin layer hydration method for topical antioxidant delivery. It was scrutinized by encapsulating the drug in a choice of transfersomes formulations. The batch optimization was carried out by particle size and zeta analysis, entrapment efficiency (%), polydispersity index, in vitro drug release, drug content. An optimized batch MF5 provides entrapment efficiency (%) of quercetin in the vesicles 86.23% and 95.79% drug release. It furnishes vesicle spherical shape with an average diameter of 118.7nm, and -45.11mV zeta potential. The MG1 formulation furnishes the superior antioxidant activity, drug content, and entrapment efficiency, ex vivo drug release, spreadability, homogeneity and stability than the MG2. The presence of quercetin in the extract and gel formulation was confirmed by using HPTLC. It is evident from this study that, mulberry leaves extract transfersomes gel are a promising prolonged delivery system for quercetin and have reasonably good stability characteristics. This research recommends that mulberry leaves extract transfersomes gel can be potentially used in the treatment of acne vulgaris through the transdermal drug delivery system.