Evaluation of the skin protective effects of niosomal-entrapped annona squamosa against UVA irradiation.

Annona squamosa is a medicinal plant that has been used in folk medicine since antiquity. The goal of this study is to see how effective Annona squamosa leaf extract (A.S.L.E) or its niosomal-entrapped preparation is at protecting skin from UVA irradiation. The prepared niosomal-entrapped A.S.L.E has been characterized via spectrophotometry and transmission electron microscopy imaging. Furthermore, the entrapment efficiency and in vitro release of A.S.L.E were determined. In this study, ex vivo and freshly prepared samples from the dorsal region of the rats' skin were used as biological samples, which were divided into five groups: control UVA-unexposed, unprotected UVA-exposed, A.S.L.E-protected UVA-exposed, and niosomal-entrapped A.S.L.E UVA-exposed. UVA irradiation was performed by exposing the skin samples to a UVA-producing lamp for 4 h. Samples from various groups were then examined using FTIR spectroscopy, histopathology, and protein electrophoresis methods. The results showed that A.S.L.E has a skin protective effect against UVA irradiation. The niosomal-entrapped A.S.L.E was more effective than the native plant leaf extract in protecting skin from the damaging effects of UVA. Therefore, the nanotechnologically formulated preparation, niosomal-entrapped A.S.L.E, can be used as an effective photoprotector (sunscreen) against the adverse effects of UVA radiation.