Exploring Synergies of Lotus Seed Extract-Hyaluronic Acid Gel for Enhanced Local Drug Delivery

OBJECTIVE The plant species Nelumbo nucifera (lotus) is widely used in traditional medicine and is known to contain flavonoids, alkaloids, and other polyphenols which contribute to its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties in addition to its being a remedy for cardiac diseases. Hyaluronic acid, present in skin and connective tissue, is well known for its tissue regeneration and wound healing properties. The present study aimed to determine the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of the hyaluronic acid gel combined with lotus seed extract and how this combination could be used as an effective local drug delivery system for the treatment of periodontitis. METHODS A 2% solution of hyaluronic acid gel was combined with increasing concentrations of prepared lotus seed extract. A DPPH test was conducted to determine the antioxidant activity of the resultant mixture at increasing concentrations. Additionally, anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using a UV spectrometer, and the spreadability of the gel was measured using the sliding glass slide method. The values obtained were plotted on graphs.. RESULTS The DPPH scavenging assay revealed that lotus seed extract with 2% hyaluronic acid gel exhibited increased antioxidant activity in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 at 76 μL. The lotus seed extract with 2% hyaluronic acid gel also showed increased anti-inflammatory properties in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 at 271 μL. Moreover, the spreadability of the lotus seed extract with 2% hyaluronic acid gel was found to be 42 mm. CONCLUSIONS Lotus seed extract shows potent antioxidant and anti- inflammatory activities which vary with the concentration of the extract, and can serve as an effective local drug delivery system.