DEVELOPMENT AND IN-VITRO CHARACTERIZATION OF LIPOSOMAL GEL FORMULATION CONTAINING DRIED LEAF EXTRACT OF PLANTS ACACIA LUCOPHLOLEA AND EUPHORBIA CYTHOPHORA AND ITS COMPARATIVE ANTIBACTERIAL STUDY

Background: Plant-derived bioactive offer promising alternatives for antimicrobial therapy, but their poor solubility and stability often limit topical application. Liposomal encapsulation can enhance their therapeutic potential. Objective: This study aimed to develop and characterize liposomal gel formulations containing ethanolic extracts of Acacia leucophloea and Euphorbia cyathophora leaves, and to evaluate their antibacterial efficacy. Methods: Leaves of both plants were extracted using ethanol and petroleum ether. Phytochemical screening identified alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, carbohydrates, and saponins predominantly in ethanolic extracts. Liposomes were prepared and characterized for particle size, zeta potential, and morphology. The optimized liposomal formulation (F5) was incorporated into a topical gel and evaluated for physicochemical properties, spreadability, and antibacterial activity using the agar well diffusion method. Results: The ethanolic extract yields were 2.31% for A. leucophloea and 2.16% for E. cyathophora. Formulation F5 showed the smallest particle size (42.53 nm), suitable zeta potential (-13.8 mV), and spherical morphology. The liposomal gel exhibited a pH of 6.8, viscosity of 1549 ± 0.26 cps, and good spreadability (34.26 g·cm/sec) without skin irritation. Antibacterial activity was significantly enhanced, with inhibition zones of 12 mm (against E. coli) and 8 mm (against S. aureus), compared to 5 mm and 3 mm for crude extracts. Conclusion: The developed liposomal gel demonstrated superior antibacterial efficacy and favorable physicochemical properties, supporting its potential as a plant-based topical therapeutic formulation.