PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF PHYTOSOME OF LAWSONE

Lawsonia inermis L. (Lawsone) is reported to contain carbohydrates, proteins, flavonoids and phenolic compounds, alkaloids, terpenoids, coumarins, xanthones and fatty acids. The plant has also been reported to have hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant and anticancer properties. Lawsone has low bioavailability because it is less soluble in water and it is rapidly eliminated from body.  The aim of this study was to prepare the phytosome of lawsone and evaluate it. Different phytosome complexes of lawsone containing molar ratio of 1:1, 1:2, 2:1 and 2:2 of lawsone and soya lecithin were prepared by the antisolvent precipitation technique. The phytosome was characterized by SEM, DSC and FTIR. Antifungal activity of phytosome of lawsone was evaluated on Candida albicans (NCIM 3471) fungi by using ketoconazole as standard drug. The in-vitro permeation study was done on rat skin. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in male wistar rats. SEM and DSC data showed that phytosome complex of lawsone has irregular size vesicles consisting of soya lecithin and lawsone was found to be intercalated in the lipid layer. Antifungal activity of phytosome complex (1:1) showed the biggest zone of inhibition as compared to phytosome complex (1:2), plant drug and standard drug ketoconazole after 3 days. Ex-vivo permeation study of phytosome gel of lawsone through excised rat skin showed 92.91% of cumulative drug permeation up to 6 h. The anti-inflammatory activity of gel of phytosome of lawsone showed significant anti-inflammatory activity as compared to plant drug gel at 4 h (P < 0.001).