White Mugwort (Artemisia lactiflora) Fraction-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles: Formulation and Optimization using Box-Behnken Design

White mugwort (Artemisia lactiflora) contains active substances such as steroids (sitosterol, stigmasterol), essential oils, furanocoumarins, and vitamins. Stigmasterol may act as an aphrodisiac, but has poor water solubility, which limits its bioavailability. Particle size reduction is a strategy used to improve the oral bioavailability of pharmaceuticals by creating nanoparticles. This study aimed to obtain optimal formulation of white mugwort nanoparticles (WMN) via ionic gelation approach with chitosan polymer and sodium tripolyphosphate (Na-TPP) using Box-Behnken Design (BBD) methodology. Independent variables such as polymer, surfactant (tween 80), and agitation speed were used in this optimization. The dependent variables employed were particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and entrapment efficiency (EE). The ideal formula was evaluated using Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopic analysis, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and in vitro release testing using simulated gastric fluid at pH 1.2. The data were subjected to statistical analysis via analysis of variance (ANOVA). The optimal formulation of WMN was achieved with 50 mL chitosan 0.1%, 0.1 g tween 80, and a stirring speed of 1000 rpm. The optimal formula exhibited a particle size of 128.73 ± 0.939 nm, a PDI of 0.807 ± 0.042, and an EE of 92.194 ± 1.273%. WMN have spherical shape and can enhance drug release in vitro relative to the white mugwort fraction prior to formulation, so it is anticipated that the bioavailability of stigmasterol - a major component of white mugwort will improve when incorporated into nanoparticles.