Formulation of psoralen-loaded phytosomes using three methods: characterization, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity

This study compared three phytosome preparation methods, thin film hydration, anti-solvent precipitation, and solvent evaporation. Psoralen phytosomes prepared with soya and egg lecithin using thin film hydration and optimised based on entrapment efficiency and particle size. The optimised formulation was replicated using the other two methods. All phytosomes were characterised using different methods. Further assess the optimised formulation, the antioxidant activity which provide complementary evidence of the formulation's biological potential, considering the association between oxidative stress and inflammation in psoriasis and the anti-inflammatory activity. Thin film hydration with soy lecithin produced the most favourable outcomes: particle size 140.2 ± 2.5 nm, PDI 0.3286 ± 0.43, entrapment efficiency ≥ 90%, loading capacity ≥ 92%, and drug content ≥ 95%. Vesicles were spherical to oval, and psoralen release (∼99% at 1440 min). The optimised phytosomes exhibited higher antioxidant (83.89% DPPH radical scavenging) and anti-inflammatory (79.02% of albumin denaturation inhibition) activity than the plain PE (74.47% and 65.91%, respectively).