FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF NON – IONIC SURFACTANT VESICLES SYSTEM OF SESBANIA CANNABINA EXTRACT AND ITS ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY

Abstract The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate non-ionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) loaded with Sesbania cannabina extract and to investigate their antibacterial activity. The plant extract was obtained using petroleum ether and ethanol as extraction solvents. The ethanolic extract exhibited a higher percentage yield (1.43%) compared to the petroleum ether extract (0.61%), indicating better extraction efficiency of polar phytoconstituents. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, glycosides, and steroids. Quantitative analysis showed appreciable Total Phenolic Content (83.0 mg/g) and Total Flavonoid Content (82.95 mg/g), suggesting the presence of bioactive compounds with antioxidant potential. Antioxidant activity assessed by the DPPH free radical scavenging assay demonstrated moderate activity of the extract with an IC₅₀ value of 51.32 µg/ml, compared to standard ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ = 19.54µg/ml). Niosomal formulations of Sesbania cannabina extract were successfully prepared and characterized. The formulations exhibited a whitish creamy appearance and good physical stability. Particle size analysis revealed nanosized vesicles ranging from 263.4 to 360.9 nm, with formulation NSF2 showing the most favorable size distribution and uniformity. Zeta potential values ranged from −14.3 to −21.2 mV, indicating moderate colloidal stability. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) confirmed the formation of spherical nanosized vesicles with slight aggregation. Antibacterial evaluation demonstrated enhanced efficacy of the niosomal formulation compared to the crude extract. The extract alone produced inhibition zones of 5 mm against Staphylococcus aureus and 9 mm against Escherichia coli, whereas the extract-loaded niosomes exhibited increased inhibition zones of 12 mm and 14 mm, respectively. The findings suggest that Sesbania cannabina extract possesses valuable phytochemical constituents, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial potential. Incorporation of the extract into niosomal vesicles significantly improved its antibacterial efficacy, stability, and delivery characteristics. Among the developed formulations, NSF2 was identified as the optimized formulation. Therefore, niosomal drug delivery systems represent a promising approach for enhancing the therapeutic potential of herbal extracts in antibacterial applications. Keywords: Sesbania cannabina, Niosomes, Non-ionic surfactant vesicles, Phytochemical screening, Antioxidant activity, Antibacterial activity, DPPH assay, Drug delivery system, Nanovesicles, Herbal formulation.