Xanthium strumarium L. Extract Loaded Phyto-Niosome Gel: Development and In Vitro Assessment for the Treatment of Tinea corporis

Abstract

Herbal drugs, believed to be safer and do not exhibit such side effects, are used in traditional medicine. The drug's gross therapeutic value is improved when herbal drug delivery methods are combined with modern scientific processes. The ultimate goal of the study is to develop a phyto-niosomal-based drug delivery system that encapsulates Xanthium strumarium L. methanolic extracts. The niosomal dispersion has been evaluated for particle size, PDI, optical microscopy, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, % drug loading, and in vitro release study, and based on the results, formulation N6 containing cholesterol: surfactant ratio of 1:3 with a span 60 was incorporated into carbopol gels (G1 to G4) having concentrations of carbopol 934 0.5%w/w, 1.0%w/w, 1.5%w/w and 2.0%w/w respectively. The phyto-niosomes, in vitro release profile, and in vitro antifungal assay were evaluated. Supported on results obtained, the niosomal dispersion was found to have an improved release profile with 52.83±0.75% release backed by the zone of inhibition data compared to rest formulations. Thus, phyto-niosomes could be a promising carrier for the methanolic extract of Xanthium strumarium L. Antifungal activity for treating Tinea corporis exclusively due to their modest production and effortless production scale-up.