Encapsulation of Polyphenols from Lycium barbarum Leaves into Liposomes as a Strategy to Improve Their Delivery

Abstract

This study is focused on the encapsulation of polyphenols from <i>Lycium barbarum</i> leaves into liposomes as a strategy to improve their delivery. Liposomes loaded with <i>Lycium barbarum</i> leaves extract were obtained and characterized for particle size, polydispersity, entrapment efficiency, and stability. Liposomes presented entrapment efficiency higher than 75%, nanometric particle size, narrow polydispersity, and good stability over three months at 4 °C. The liposomes containing <i>Lycium barbarum</i> offered a slower release of polyphenols with attenuated burst effect compared with the dissolution of free <i>Lycium barbarum</i> extract in phosphate buffer solution at pH 7.4. Moreover, an in vitro pretreatment of 24 h with loaded liposomes showed a cytoprotective effect against H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity on L-929 mouse fibroblasts cells. These preliminary findings imply that liposomes could be successfully employed as carriers for polyphenols in pharmaceutical applications.