Physico-Chemical Properties of Cationic Niosomes Loaded with Fraction of Rice (Oryza sativa) Bran Extract

This study investigated the physico-chemical properties of cationic niosomes loaded with different concentrations of Oryza sativa bran extract (OSF3). The niosomes showed a more white milky translucent appearance with higher OSF3 loading. The entrapment efficiency for 0.5% OSF3 was 86.22 ± 1.43%. Niosome sizes increased slightly (120-220 nm) and zeta potential values decreased (40-60 mV) after loading with OSF3. Both blank and loaded niosomes were uni-lamellar, with transition temperatures increasing from 75 to 80°C for 0.1 and 0.5% OSF3. Blank niosomes had the highest microviscosity and most rigid membranes at 25°C. After ultra-centrifugation, vesicular sizes and zeta potential values increased for blank and 0.1 and 0.5% OSF3-loaded niosomes. All formulations had similar transition temperatures (71°C) and microviscosities at 25°C. These findings could be useful for developing niosomal formulations of rice bran extract for anti-hair loss products.