Journal of

---

Background and aim: Saffron possesses a lot of medical applications in traditional medicine. One of its properties is ultraviolet (UV) light absorption. The aim of this study was preparation, determination of properties and investigating sun protevtive effects of nanoliposomes containing saffron extract and safranal, a substance existing in saffron.
Methods: Nanoliposomal hydroalcoholic extract of saffron stigma in concentrations 2%, 4%, 8% and nanoliposomal safranal in concentrations 0.25% , 0.5% and 1% were prepared. Standard lotion of homosalate 8% was used according to FDA standards for sun protection factor (SPF) determination and assessment of accuracy of the method. SPFs of substances were calculated in vitro by diluted solvent method using Mansur, et al equation and absorptiometry.

Results: SPf of Nanoliposomal saffron 8% extract was significantly higher than standard sunscreen homosalate with similar concentration. SPFs of safranal (1% and 0.5%) component of saffron were significantly higher than the standard sunscreen homosalate 8%.
Conclusion: Saffron can act as a sunscreen. Safranal existing in saffron is much more sun protective than standard substance, homosalate 8%. Thus , the safranal existing in saffron may have significant sun protective effect in low concentration if encapsulated in liposome.

---

Background and Aim: Curcumin possesses diverse pharmacologic effects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative and antiangiogenic activities. The aim of this study was to develop liposomal formulation of curcumin and evaluate the leishmanial effects of its topical use against L. major in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: Nanoliposomes containing 1, 2 or 3% curumin were prepared by fusion method and characterized for their size, morphology and stability. The in vitro efficacy of liposomal form of Curcumin against promastigotes and amastigotes form of L. major was also evaluated. Moreover, the leishmanial effect of formulations was evaluated in infected BALB/c mice. The lesions were treated topically by different formulations twice a day, for 4 weeks. During this time and 4 weeks after treatment, lesions size was measured every week. The level of splenic parasite burdens was investigated in week 4 after parasite inoculation.

Results: Curcumin showed no leishmanicidal effect against live promasigotes and amastigotes in culture media. There was no significant difference between treated and control animals regarding lesion size and splenic parasite burden.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that nanoliposomes containing curcumin in topical form has no significant leishmanicidal effect in vitro and in vivo against
L. major.