FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF NIOSOMES ENCAPSULATED WITH KT2 AND RT2: ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTICANCER PEPTIDES DERIVED FROM CROCODILE LEUKOCYTE EXTRACT

Niosome is one of the synthetic nanoparticles which often is used for drug delivery and cosmetic industry. The aim of this study was to prepare niosomes encapsulated with KT2 and RT2. KT2 and RT2 are antimicrobial and anticancer peptides derived from crocodile leukocyte extract. Niosomes encapsulated with KT2 and RT2 were prepared by thin-film hydration technique, and peptide encapsulation efficiency was evaluated. Niosome particle size, size distribution, and surface morphology were also studied. The results show that KT2 and RT2 were successfully loaded in the formulations with encapsulation efficiencies of 70.9 +/- 0.9% and 59.6 +/- 3.4%, respectively. The mean particle size and zeta potential of KT2 and RT2 encapsulated niosomes were 9.3 +/- 1.13 mu m and - 57.39 + 2.53 mV and 9.1 +/- 0.03 mu m and - 50.91 +/- 2.28 mV, respectively. Niosomes had spherical shapes with rough surfaces. Niosomes coated with hydroxm)ropyl methylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP) were evaluated for pH stability. At pH 1.2 and 4.5, the peptide-encapsulated niosomes were stable. In conclusion, these peptide-encapsulated niosomes have high potential for therapeutic. cosmetic and beauty product applications.