1 Department of Pharmaceutics, Vinayaka Missions College of Pharmacy, Vinayaka Missions Research Foundation (Deemed to be University), Sankari Main road, Salem-636308, Tamil Nadu, India
2 Department of Pharmaceutics, AVB College of Pharmacy, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
* Corresponding Author: Muruganantham V
The study presents the design and optimization of a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) for enhancing the solubility, stability, and antioxidant efficacy of pomegranate (POM) extract rich in punicalagin and ellagic acid. The optimized formulation (OF2) comprised oleic acid (7.53%), Tween 80 (75.3%), and a polyethylene glycol : ethanol mixture (1:1, 17.17%), incorporating POM extract (17.22%) at its solubility threshold. OF2 exhibited rapid self-emulsification (< 20 s), high optical transmittance (> 97%), and thermodynamic stability, forming a homogeneous nanoemulsion upon aqueous dispersion. In vitro release followed first-order kinetics (R² = 0.986–0.997) with non-Fickian diffusion (n ≈ 0.57), achieving 98.8% cumulative release within 2 h. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) revealed a trimodal particle-size distribution (20.1 ± 2.1 nm, 128.1 ± 7.8 nm, 402.2 ± 10.3 nm), PDI = 0.22 ± 0.02, and Zeta potential of –31.4 ± 1.2 mV, confirming electrostatically stabilized nanoscale dispersion. The antioxidant evaluation demonstrated potent free-radical scavenging activity, with an IC₅₀ = 84.87 μg/mL in the DPPH assay, consistent with high redox potential of the encapsulated polyphenols. In HeLa cells, pre-treatment with OF2 reduced H₂O₂-induced ROS generation by ~41% and restored cell viability from 47% to 79%, as confirmed by fluorescence and WST-1 assays. Optimized formulation, OF2, exhibited controlled release, strong antioxidant capacity, and marked cytoprotective effects. The developed SNEDDS provides a robust, scalable nanocarrier platform for improving oral delivery and therapeutic performance of polyphenol-rich phytoconstituents.
Keywords: Pomegranate, Self emulsifying drug delivery system, Lipid‑based nanocarrier, Antioxidant Supplement.
How to cite this article: Muruganantham V, Adhikary J, Ranganathan K. Formulation and Optimization of Punica Granatum L Fruit Extract Loaded Self Emulsifying System and Its Prospective Antioxidant Activity in Hela Cell Lines. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(5): 258-279. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.5.29
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None