Bilosomes as a Potential Carrier to Enhance Cognitive Effects of Bacopa monnieri Extract on Oral Administration

Abstract

The Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda employs Bacopa monnieri extract (BME) for memory enhancement. This study attempts to prepare and test a more potent formulation by incorporating BME in nanovesicles. BME-loaded liposomes and bilosomes (bile salt-stabilized liposomes) were formulated using soy phosphatidylcholine. Liposomes and bilosomes had homogeneous size distribution and an average size of 285.7 nm and 84 nm, respectively, with satisfactory zeta potential. Spherical multilamellar bilosomes and unilamellar liposomes were observed under transmission electron microscope (TEM), with BME entrapment efficiency of 85% and 45%, respectively. During a 72 h interval, bilosomes and liposomes released 78% and 65% of the loaded BME, exhibiting a biphasic release, following the Higuchi model diffusion. Both liposomes and bilosomes were stable in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. When tested on dementia-induced Swiss albino mouse models using the Y-maze apparatus, the bilosome-treated group showed significant cognition enhancement activity than those treated with liposomal vesicles. The better pharmacological effect shown by bilosomes may be attributed to better bioavailability, possibly augmented by higher entrapment efficiency, and improved vesicle integrity afforded by bile salts. Likewise, bilosomes were more stable than liposomes in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. Taken together, innovative formulation techniques hold substantial promise for enhancing the ethnopharmacological claims of BME.

Emerging Trends in Bilosomes as Therapeutic Drug Delivery Systems

“…In a recent study, an herbal extract of Bacopa monnieri , which is reported to possess strong neuroprotective activities, was encapsulated into liposomes and bilosomes to improve its oral bioavailability. In vitro and in vivo evaluation results for both formulations showed the better potential of B. monnieri -loaded bilosomes in enhancing bioavailability as compared to B. monnieri -loaded liposomes [ 43 ].…”

Organic and Biogenic Nanocarriers as Bio-Friendly Systems for Bioactive Compounds’ Delivery: State-of-the Art and Challenges

“…Various BILs formulations were used as carriers of many bioactive molecules including silymarin (SYL) [168], berberine (BER) [169], CUR [170], and RSV [171], and have been applied for the management of the different diseases (e.g., skin damage, cancer, inflammations, Alzheimer's disease, etc.). Moreover, BILs have been loaded with plant extracts such as cranberry extract (CBE) (with good hepatoprotective impact) [172], or Bacopa monnieri extract (BME) for memory enhancement [173].…”

The Exploitation of Sodium Deoxycholate-Stabilized Nano-Vesicular Gel for Ameliorating the Antipsychotic Efficiency of Sulpiride

“…The flexibility of bilosomal vesicles greatly facilitates transdermal application through enhancing penetration into the skin's deep layers [23]. Significantly, the presence of bile salts, sodium deoxycholate (SDC), greatly improves the stability of bilosomal vesicles, in comparison to other traditional vesicles [24]. As a result, bilosomes have been used in numerous investigations to improve the transdermal administration of various medications, including niflumic acid [25], tizanidine hydrochloride [26], and lornoxicam [27].…”