Alginate-based microencapsulation enhances antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of Phyllanthus amarus and Phyllanthus muellerianus

Phyllantus amarus and P. muellerianus are herbs reported to possess anti-inflammatory activity. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of alginate-based microsphere loaded with extracts of P. amarus and P. muellerianus was here reported. The extract-loaded microspheres were prepared using the ionotropic gelation method. The particle size, swelling index, entrapment efficiency, and FTIR spectroscopy were determined. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of extract-loaded microspheres were evaluated in hotplate-induced nociception in mice and carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, respectively. The physicohemical results showed rigid, free-flowing and spherical microspheres, with particle sizes ranging from 985.977±13.65 to 1232±12.99 µm and entrapment efficiencies of 20.9 ± 0.341 to 45.0 ± 0.002 %. Polymer-drug interaction revealed bands indicating aromatics, alcohols and alkenes. The extract-loaded microspheres showed improved antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities when compared to the extracts alone. The sodium alginate-based microspheres loaded with Phyllanthus amarus and Phyllanthus muellerianus extracts showed acceptable physicochemical properties and had improved antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity compared to the extracts alone.