Incorporation of Lippia citriodora Microwave Extract into Total-Green Biogelatin-Phospholipid Vesicles to Improve Its Antioxidant Activity

This work was funded by projects AGL2015-67995-C3-2-R (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation), P11-CTS-7625 (Andalusian Regional Government Council of Innovation and Science) and RTI2018-096724-B-C22 (Ministry of science, Innovation and Universities). The author Leyva-Jimenez gratefully acknowledges the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) for the FPI grant BES-2016-076618 given to develop this work.

Phytochemicals from Lippia citriodora leaves were extracted by applying an innovative technology based on the use of microwaves, which represents an alternative method to extract bioactive substances. The obtained extract was incorporated into phospholipid vesicles in order to promote the antioxidant effect of the bioactive molecules present in L. citriodora extract. The extract was analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to Time-Of-Flight mass spectrometer by electrospray (HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS) and different phytochemicals were detected and quantified. The whole extract was incorporated in liposomes, glycerosomes (liposomes modified with glycerol) and propylene glycol-containing vesicles (PG-PEVs). Moreover, a biopolymer obtained from fish by-product, that is Thunnus albacares skin, was added to improve the bioactivity of the formulations. The in vitro biocompatibility and the antioxidant efficacy of the extract in solution or loaded in the vesicles were tested in primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (3T3). The results showed the superior bioactivity of the vesicle formulations over the aqueous solution of the extract, which points to an interesting strategy for the treatment of skin disorders.

This APC was partially funded by RTI2018-096724-B-C22 (Ministry of science, Innovation and Universities).