Journal of Pharmacognosy & Natural Products

An Effective Liposomal Gel Preparation for the Long-lasting Herbal Mosquito Repellent

Abstract

T. M. Suruthelaya, Kaviya Suresh, K. K. Suriya Prakaash, S. Nagalakshmi, A. C. Niranjanasree, Gopinath Subramaniyam, J. Srikanth, P. Krishnan and Anbarasan Balu*

Herbal mosquito repellent is a promising alternative to overcome the drawbacks of conventional mosquito repellents containing N, N-diethyl metatoluamide. The liposomal gel has a propensity for keratinizing the skin's horny layer and can penetrate deeper into the skin for enhanced absorption and is therapeutically effective and less toxic than other topical dosage forms, resulting in prolonged and controlled extract release. Vitex negundo (Chaste tree) leaves were dried and mechanically powdered. The powder was extracted with ethanol and distilled water (1:1), then the solvent was removed, dried using a lyophilization process, and stored. The phytochemical and composition analysis of the plant extract was done. The hydration process is carried out at a temperature of 40°C. Liposomal gel was prepared using the thin film hydration methods. A suitable base concentration was used to adjust the pH of the topical gel (6.5 –7.5). The liposomal dispersions were characterized for particle size distribution, SEM, XRD, ATR-FTIR, entrapment efficiency, in-vitro release study, and stability study. The liposomal gel was evaluated for colour, appearance, smoothness, Washability, skin irritation study, and Mosquito repellent activity. The developed formulations showed continuous extract release over 8 hours, extending the medication's residence time. The prepared optimized gel formulation was clear and stable after 90 days of storage under accelerated stability conditions. The mosquito-repellent activity of the optimized gel formulation was investigated using the arm-in-cage methodology. The field trials of the optimized gel were performed at 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes, demonstrating excellent mosquito repellency. The total number of mosquitoes that landed was counted in a triplicate manner. The results of the present study revealed that Vitex negundo extract loaded mosquito repellent liposomal gel could produce fewer side effects, inexpensive, more effective, and long-lasting more than 10 hours to prevent mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya.