FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF RASPBERRY KETONE MICROCAPSULES FOR ENHANCED ANTI-OBESITY ACTIVITY
Keywords:
Raspberry ketone, microencapsulation, ionotropic gelation, sodium alginate, chitosan, obesity, bioavailability, mucoadhesionAbstract
Obesity is a global health challenge associated with metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative disorders. Raspberry ketone (RK), a natural phenolic compound, exhibits promising anti-obesity effects but suffers from poor bioavailability. This study aimed to formulate RK-loaded microcapsules using ionotropic gelation with sodium alginate and chitosan to enhance stability, sustained release, and mucoadhesion. A Box-Behnken design was employed to optimize polymer concentrations and stirring speed. The optimized formulation (F4) demonstrated spherical morphology (SEM), high entrapment efficiency (87.11%), and sustained drug release over 5 hours. FTIR and DSC confirmed drug-polymer compatibility. Ex vivo mucoadhesion studies showed strong intestinal retention. These findings suggest that RK microcapsules may be a viable strategy for enhancing therapeutic efficacy in obesity management.
