Modification and Improvement of the Liposome Composition of Preputial Gland Extract of Siberian Musk Deer

Abstract

In this work, we set out to characterize the liposomal form of a new original product based on the preputial gland extract of Siberian musk deer whose composition was modified by an inclusion complex with β-cy- clodextrin. Musk deer liposomes were obtained by an efficient and scalable high-pressure homogenization method. The resulting liposomal product was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, preparative and analytical chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A specification for the liposomal form of Siberian musk deer extract was developed, which includes all critical indicators of product quality. Homogeneous dispersions of musk deer liposomes with a uniform size distribution were obtained, with the distribution maxima observed at 50 and 240 nm. The high physicochemical stability of the liposomal dispersion was established with the zeta potential value of the obtained nanoparticles ranging from –5 to –35 mV. According to size-exclusion chromatography and mass spectrometry, the incorporation of deer musk target components into liposomes reached 58–75% for musk liposomes in terms of steroid components and total protein. The revealed quality indicators of the studied liposomal product indicate the possibility of obtaining highly effective products based on the liposomal form of musk deer extract, modified with cyclodextrin, as an adaptogen of natural origin with an enhanced and pronounced activity in laboratory performance tests.