DUAL-LOADED PHYTOSOMES OF PAPAIN AND ALOE VERA: FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF DIABETIC WOUND HEALING PROPERTIES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22159/ijap.2026v18i3.57725Keywords:
Aloe vera, Drug delivery, Diabetes, Oxidative stress, Papain, Phytosome, Wound healingAbstract
Objective: The goal of this study was to prepare and evaluate phytosomes containing Aloe vera extract and papain using the solvent evaporation method.
Methods: We prepared phytosomes of aloe vera extract and papain by the solvent evaporation technique. Design-Expert® software (version 11.0.5) was used for the optimisation procedure. Out of 17 formulations, F8 was selected as the best, on the basis of particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and entrapment efficiency (EE). Mixing the best formulation (F8) with carbopol 940, a phytosomal gel was prepared for better compliance. The gel was tested for its physicochemical properties, antioxidant properties by DPPH assay, cytotoxicity by MTT assay, and α-amylase inhibitory activity as an indicator of antidiabetic potential. In vivo diabetic wound healing was tested on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced wistar rats for 25 d.
Results: The optimised formulation (F8) had a particle size of 87.3±0.05 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.30±0.001, and a zeta potential of −55.6 mV, indicating high colloidal stability due to electrostatic repulsion. The entrapment efficiency of F8 for papain was 95.62±0.01% and 96.35±0.01% for aloe vera extract. pH 6.4±0.05, viscosity 20.11±0.00057 Pa·s, and spreadability 21.72±0.58 g·cm/s of the gel formulation were considered in the acceptable range. The SEM analysis verified a consistent and distinct vesicular morphology. The formulation showed strong antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 35.3 µg/ml), 85.71% cell viability, and moderate α-amylase inhibition (56±9.19%) without implying systemic glycaemic control. In vivo studies showed that the higher the dose, the faster the wound healed. By day 17, the high-dose group had 92.09±1.77% wound contraction, and by day 25, the wound was completely closed (100%), which was much better than the control group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The active ingredients were successfully shielded from oxidation and degradation by encapsulating papain and aloe vera polysaccharides in lipid-based phytosomes. This delivery system offers a promising therapeutic strategy for treating diabetic wounds and oxidative stress.
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