Potentiating antimicrobial efficacy of propolis through niosomal-based system for administration

Abstract

BackgroundPropolis is a multicomponent active, complex resinous substance collected by honeybees (Apis mellifera) from a variety of plant sources. This study was designed to improve the antimicrobial efficacy of propolis by engineering a niosomal-based system for topical application.MethodsPropolis was extracted in ethanol and screened for total polyphenol content. Propolis-loaded niosomes (PLNs) were prepared with varying concentrations of Span 60 and cholesterol. The PLNs were evaluated for physicochemical parameters, namely, vesicle size, entrapment efficiency, zeta potential, surface topography and shape, and stability, followed by screening for in vitro antimicrobial activity. The PLNs were formulated into propolis niosomal gel (PNG) using Carbopol P934 base and subjected to ex vivo skin deposition study.ResultsThe ethanolic extract of propolis had high polyphenolic content (270 ± 9.2 mg GAE/g). The prepared PLNs showed vesicle size between 294 nm and 427 nm, and the percent entrapment in the range of 50.62–71.29% with a significant enhancement in antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Enhanced antimicrobial activity of PLNs was attributed to the ability of niosomes to directly interact with the bacterial cell envelop thereby facilitating the diffusion of propolis constituents across the cell wall. The formulated PNG exhibited a twofold better skin deposition due to improved retention of niosomes in the skin.ConclusionThe findings indicate that the engineering of a niosomal-based system for propolis enhanced its antimicrobial potential through topical application.

In vitro Evaluation of the Antibacterial Potential of Niosome-Encapsulated Olive Leaf Extract

“…Values of zeta potential above 30 mV (positive or negative) are adequately high for electrostatic stability and a stable dispersion (Mahajan et al 2012). Patel et al (2015) reported that the zeta potentials of propolis-loaded and free niosomes were -33.2 mV and -38.8 mV, respectively. As shown in Figure 1, niosomes are seen in different shapes and sizes after maturation.…”

“…In another study, MIC values of the free and niosomal moxifloxacin were found the same at 0.87 μg/mL against S.aureus, although MIC values of the free moxifloxacin and loaded niosome were found at 6.25 μg/mL and 3.125 μg/mL respectively against P. aeruginosa (Sohrabiet et al 2016). Patel et al (2015) prepared propolis-loaded niosomes and has reported that MIC values of propolis loaded noisome and ethanolic propolis solution against S. aureus was 0.3 mg/mL and 0.5 g/mL, respectively. The MIC values of free vancomycin and vancomycin-loaded niosome against MRSA were reported as 8 μg/mL and 1 μg/mL, respectively (Barakat et al 2014).…”

Niosomes: a review of their structure, properties, methods of preparation, and medical applications

“…Its antimicrobial effect was enhanced when it was incorporated into niosomes that were prepared with varying concentrations of Span 60 and cholesterol. This is because niosomes are able to interact with the bacterial cell envelope, thereby facilitating the diffusion of constituents of propolis across the cell wall [110].…”

Development and validation of HPTLC method for simultaneous estimation of curcumin and galangin in polyherbal capsule dosage form

“…GA is also a well-known phytoconstituent of propolis. It shows good antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and -negative bacteria [18][19][20]. The identification and quantification of GA in various extracts, biological samples and formulations was addressed in some reports.…”