Development and Evaluation of Phytosomes of Quinine Sulphate for the Treatment of Malaria

Phytosomes containing quinine sulfate were prepared using the anti-solvent precipitation method, with six formulations (F1-F6) developed by varying quinine to soya lecithin ratios. Among these, formulation F3 exhibited superior characteristics, achieving an entrapment efficiency of 75.77% at a ratio of 1:3. Dissolution testing revealed enhanced drug release rates compared to pure quinine, with formulation F3 demonstrating the highest release (95.5%) within 120 minutes. Analysis of release kinetics indicated a first-order release pattern (R = 0.9956) and a diffusion-controlled mechanism (Higuchi model, R = 0.984). Fourier-transform infrared spectra confirmed the successful incorporation of quinine into phytosomes (F3) without chemical interaction or degradation, retaining characteristic peaks. These findings highlight formulation F3 as a promising candidate for further pharmacological investigation and therapeutic applications in enhancing quinine's bioavailability.