Preparation and characterization of propolis-loaded liposome formulation with antiinflammatory effect

Wound infections affect millions of people all over the world. Especially to avoid infections which develop during long treatment process of chronical wounds, active substances which have antimicrobial and antifungal effects are used. Additionally, oxygen radicals are generated during the healing process of tissue injuries in the wound area. Antioxidant substances protect the wound area against the effect of free radicals and accelerate the healing process. Propolis, a natural bee product, has both antimicrobial /antifungal and antioxidant characteristics because of its content. Therefore, propolis is used to develop topical formulations for wound treatment. As nanocarrier systems are more effective and have less side effects compare to conventional approach, they have important potential applications to implement therapeutic substances. Among these systems, liposomes attract notice as substances that enhance active substance transition because of having a similar structure to skin lipids, and as carrier systems which have vesicular structure. For this purpose, in our thesis study, initially propolis loaded liposome formulations were prepared and characterization (particle size distribution, polidispersity index, zeta potential, morfology, pH, loading capacity, encapsulation efficiency) and stability studies were performed. After the in-vitro studies, formulations that are optimized have been evaluated with in-vitro antioxidant activity (free radical scavenging capacity and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity) and antimicrobial/antifungal activity studies. Ideal liposome formulation was defined and it was distributed in hidroksipropilmetilselüloz (HPMC) gel in order to make suitable viscosity for topical application. The prepared liposomal gel formulations were evaluated in terms of pH, rheology, mechanic chracteristics and stability. In conclusion; in this thesis study, an effective and innovator alternative was developed for topical application in wound treatment with propolis loaded liposomal gel formulations which have both antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. Keywords: Propolis, liposome, gel, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial/antifungal activity