Formulation and Evaluation of Microspheres Loaded with Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze Extract for its Antioxidant Potential

Introduction: Novel drug delivery systems, which stabilize and enhance bioactivity, have significantly enhanced the delivery of herbal bioactives. This study aims to formulate and characterize ethyl cellulose microspheres loaded with hydroalcoholic Camellia sinensis (CS) extract to evaluate their antioxidant potential. Methods: Maceration, Soxhlet extraction, and decoction were used to optimize the extraction process based on the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical contents. Microspheres were formulated using solvent evaporation techniques with ethyl cellulose as the polymer, and their antioxidant activity was assessed. Prepared microspheres were characterized by FTIR, DSC, SEM, etc., followed by antioxidant assessment. Entrapment efficiency and release kinetics were studied based on the detection of quercetin-like compounds. Results: The macerated extract was chosen for formulation due to its high total phenolic content (376.44±0.012 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid content (249.42±0.46 mg QE/g). LC-MS analysis revealed the presence of numerous bioactive compounds, including epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, glutathione amide, etc. SEM analysis revealed porous and spherical microspheres. Formulation F5 exhibited the highest entrapment efficiency and demonstrated a sustained zeroorder release profile. In the DPPH scavenging assay, the microspheres (F1-F5) have shown significant antioxidant activities with IC50 values of 43.61±2.15; 45.58±3.72; 47.50±1.09; 46.87±3.31 and 45.35±1.24 μg/mL, respectively, compared to ascorbic acid 27.21±0.96 μg/mL. Similarly, a significant reducing power was observed with formulations (F1-F5) 85.58±4.59; 74.74±4.13; 65.47±3.96; 73.47±5.23 and 72.42±6.57 mg AAE/g, respectively, compared with CSE (92.74±7.54 mg AAE/g). method: Extraction was carried out using different extraction techniques such as maceration, Soxhlet and decoction. Pre-liminary phytochemical screening, total phenolic and flavonoids contents were assessed to select the best extraction procedure based on their contents. Microspheres was prepared using solvent evaporation techniques using ethyl cellulose as polymer. Formulated microspheres were evaluated for antioxidant potential by % DPPH radical scavenging and Reducing power assay. Microspheres were then characterized by FTIR, DSC, SEM etc. Entrapment efficiency and drug release study were also performed. Discussion: Microspheres formulated using macerated CS extract exhibited strong antioxidant properties, showed porous morphology with a zero-order release profile (F5), and confirmed a sustained and effective antioxidant delivery. Conclusion: Macerated Camellia sinensis extract-loaded microspheres offer a novel approach for delivering heat-sensitive compounds, providing sustained antioxidant benefits compared to traditional hot beverages, which can lose thermolabile compounds during preparation.