FORMULATION OF NIOSOMES CONTAINING CAESALPINIA SAPPAN L. HEARTWOOD EXTRACT

Abstract

Caesalpinia sappan L. or commonly known sappanwood is used in food, beverage, fabrics and cosmetics. Biological activities of sappanwood extract such as antioxidant, anti-melanogenesis, wound healing, antibacterial and anti-inflammation have been considerably reported. The purpose of this study aimed to investigate the effect of semi-purifying methods of the sappanwood extract on properties of the extract obtained and to develop niosomes containing the sappanwood extract. Ethanolic crude extract from C. sappan heartwood was semi-purified with partition method and ion-exchange chromatography. The water, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions of sappanwood extract were obtained from the partition method. The Diaion® HP-20 fraction was prepared from ion-exchange chromatography. These extracts were evaluated for TLC fingerprint, brazilin content, total phenolic content and DPPH free radical scavenging activity. The sappanwood extract showing the highest active content and antioxidant activity was used to prepare niosomes. Niosomes was prepared with sonication method and evaluated for morphology and particle size. As the results of evaluation, TLC fingerprint indicated brazilin as a major compound of all sappanwood extracts. The Diaion® HP-20 fraction had the highest brazilin content (13.24 ± 0.25 %w/w) and total phenolic content (604.82 ± 2.45 mg GAE/g extract). The water fraction showed the greatest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 1.19 ± 0.02 µg/ml) and more than ascorbic acid. As a result, the Diaion® HP-20 fraction of sappanwood extract was selected for preparation of niosomes. The saturated solution of this extract in acetate buffer pH 4.0 showed good stability when kept in a refrigerator for at least 30 days. When the extract solution was loaded into niosomes, it was found that all formulations could not form stable niosomes because of aggregation and separation of vesicles. This finding may result from the occurrence of crystal of extract compounds in the formulations or the interaction between the extract compounds and niosome structure. Consequently, further research studies such as effect of niosome compositions on formation of niosomes containing sappanwood extract, development of more purified extract and other skin delivery systems of the sappanwood extract should be performed.