Formulation and dissolution profile study of transfersome-loaded microspheres from green tea leaf extract

Objective: The aim of this study was to prepare transfersome-loaded microspheres which had good characteristics and physicochemical stability to increase bioavailability of the polyphenol component of green tea leaf extract in the body. Methods: Transfersomes were prepared using a thin-layer hydration method. Green tea leaf extract transfersomes were formulated in the ratio of 95:5, 90:10, and 85:15 based on their phospholipid and Span 80 content. Results: The most successful formula produced transfersomes of a spherical shape, 78.75 nm in size with a polydispersity index of 0.187, zeta potential of -37.5 mV, and entrapment efficiency of 47.96±5.81%. Subsequently, the transfersome was loaded into a microsphere using the spray-dry method. The microspheres had a non-spherical, wrinkled shape, their size was 2058.44 nm, their polydispersity index was 0.545, their entrapment efficiency was 59.27±0.59%, their moisture content was 5.21%, and their swelling index was 289.36% after 4 h. The total cumulative amount of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate after a dissolution test was 69.15±7.66%. Conclusion: The physicochemical stability of transfersome-loaded microspheres was not significantly different from that of transfersome powder.