Quercetin is a highly potential antioxidant for treatment of chronic diseases including neurological disorders. This study aims to physicochemically characterize quercetin-encapsulated liposomes including composition, surface charge, vesicle size, viscosi

Abstract

Quercetin is a highly potential antioxidant for treatment of chronic diseases including neurological
disorders. This study aims to physicochemically characterize quercetin-encapsulated liposomes including composition,
surface charge, vesicle size, viscosity, pH and efficiency of entrapment. Preparation of quercetin
liposomes (QL) by thin film hydration and extrusion using various molar ratios of liposomes, consisted of egg
phosphatidyl choline (EPC) cholesterol (Chol) and span 60. A molar ratio of EPC:Chol:span 60 of 1:1:1
with an addition of 0.12 M quercetin gave a mean vesicle diameter of about 200 nm. An increase in the ratio
of EPC and Chol resulted in an increase the vesicle size of the liposomes. Sodium alginate (0.05%) and
chitosan (0.05%) were used to comparatively coat the QL. Entrapment efficiency (EE) of QL in polymer
systems was comparable with original water system at 80-90% of EE. Surface charges of QL were altered in
the presence of polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG), chitosan and alginate. EE of QL could be reduced when the
particle size decreases. In case of polymer coated QL, QL in PEG presented the lowest EE but it was increased
by an increase of PEG concentration. In chitosan system, EE of QL was very slightly changed when the
chitosan ≥ 12.5%, while in alginate system there was no effect on EE at over 12.5% of alginate. These EE
results of each system were significantly difference depended on polymers concentration manner (p<0.05).
QL coated polymers were found in the pH range of 3.9 to 6.8 that are suitable for widely applications
especially for transdermal route.