Quality standardization, Phytosome formulation and in vitro antioxidant activity of Moringa oleifera Lam: An Ayurvedic medicinal plant

Abstract

Aim: To formulate and evaluate Moringa oleifera loaded phytosome for its in vitro antioxidant activity. Method: The plant material was analyzed for its quality by analyzing various pharmacognostical properties. The plant material was subjected for extraction by using maceration followed by soxhlet extraction using ethanol: water as solvent. The resultant extract was subjected for phytochemical investigations to assess the presence of plant metabolites. Furthermore, novel lipid based nano formulation such as phytosome was prepared by thin film hydration method. The prepared phytosomes loaded with Moringa oleifera extract was analysed for DSC, FTIR, particle size and entrapment efficiency. The optimized formulation (F3) was subjected for in vitro antioxidant activity. Thin Layer Chromatography was performed using Quercetin as standard and Methanol: Water as mobile phase. Results: The organoleptic evaluation revealed the plant is green, aromatic odour, slightly bitter taste erect stems, thick grey bark, flowers are white. Physicochemical parameters such as Moisture content, Total ash, Acid Insoluble ash, Water soluble ash values, Aqueous, Alcohol and Petroleum ether extractive values are found to be 8.5, 10.5, 5, 12.5, 12.5 and 2.5% respectively. The phytochemical investigation confirmed the presence of Alkaloids, Glycosides, Steroids, Terpenoids and Phenols. The compatibility study confirms that the excipients and drugs are compatible with each other. Among four prepared phytosomes with different ratios, formulation 3 exhibited smaller particle size such as 141nm   and entrapment efficiency as 81%.Hence, formulation 3 is subjected for further antioxidant activity. With the IC₅₀ value of 17.82µg/ml, formulation 3 showed promising antioxidant activity which was compared with standard ascorbic acid with IC₅₀ 33.53 µg/ml. Conclusion: The present work can be utilized for plant identification and standardization of Moringa oleifera for further research .Based on the results, it can be concluded that novel lipid based nanoformulation loaded with Moringa oleifera exhibited promising Antioxidant properties. The limitations arising from conventional dosage forms will be overlooked by the novel lipid based phytosomes with greater bioavailability and remarkable therapeutic effects.