Rational Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of a Solid Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Nanoformulation Suitable for "Microdosing" Applications

Background: This article highlights the formulation of a solid Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-loaded ingestible prepared from pure THC distillate. Methods: A THC-containing ethanol-assisted cannabinoid nanoemulsion (EACNE) was created using a solvent displacement technique. Subsequently, the EACNE was converted to a solid powdery material while still retaining its THC potency, a format uniquely suited for "microdosing" applications. Results: EACNE had an average lipid droplet size of ∼190 nm, with a polydispersity index of 0.15, and an average droplet ζ potential of -49±10 mV. The nanoemulsion (NE) was colloidally stable for at least 6 weeks, with no meaningful change in cannabinoid potency over the experimental period, as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. The EACNE remained stable when subjected to physical stresses such as heat, freeze/thaw cycles, carbonation, dilution to beverage concentrations, high sucrose concentrations, and a pH range between 5 and 8. The microencapsulated EACNE demonstrated limited free-flowing behavior but was freely redispersible in water without any visible phase separation. Conclusions: We report the design, creation, and characterization of a THC NE generated without the use of specialized equipment, such as a microfluidizer or a high-pressure homogenizer. This emulsion could readily be converted to a water-redispersible powder. This embodiment is particularly suited for THC "microdosing," a practice that might decouple the health benefits of THC from its psychotropic effects.

Nanocurcumin-Loaded UCNPs for Cancer Theranostics: Physicochemical Properties, In Vitro Toxicity, and In Vivo Imaging Studies

Formulation of promising anticancer herbal drug curcumin as a nanoscale-sized curcumin (nanocurcumin) improved its delivery to cells and organisms both in vitro and in vivo. We report on coupling nanocurcumin with upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) using Poly (lactic-co-glycolic Acid) (PLGA) to endow visualisation in the near-infrared transparency window. Nanocurcumin was prepared by solvent-antisolvent method. NaYF4:Yb,Er (UCNP1) and NaYF4:Yb,Tm (UCNP2) nanoparticles were synthesised by reverse microemulsion method and then functionalized it with PLGA to form UCNP-PLGA nanocarrier followed up by loading with the solvent-antisolvent process synthesized herbal nanocurcumin. The UCNP samples were extensively characterised with XRD, Raman, FTIR, DSC, TGA, UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometer, Upconversion spectrofluorometer, HRSEM, EDAX and Zeta Potential analyses. UCNP1-PLGA-nanocurcumin exhibited emission at 520, 540, 660 nm and UCNP2-PLGA-nanocurmin showed emission at 480 and 800 nm spectral bands. UCNP-PLGA-nanocurcumin incubated with rat glioblastoma cells demonstrated moderate cytotoxicity, 60-80% cell viability at 0.12-0.02 mg/mL marginally suitable for therapeutic applications. The cytotoxicity of UCNPs evaluated in tumour spheroids models confirmed UCNP-PLGA-nanocurcumin therapeutic potential. As-synthesised curcumin-loaded nanocomplexes were administered in tumour-bearing laboratory animals (Lewis lung cancer model) and showed adequate contrast to enable in vivo and ex vivo study of UCNP-PLGA-nanocurcumin bio distribution in organs, with dominant distribution in the liver and lungs. Our studies demonstrate promise of nanocurcumin-loaded upconversion nanoparticles for theranostics applications.

Astaxanthin–garlic oil nanoemulsions preparation using spontaneous microemulsification technique: optimization and their physico–chemical properties

Garlic oil in water nanoemulsion was resulted through subcritical water method (temperature of 120 °C and pressure of 1.5 bar, for 2 h), using aponin, as emulsifier. Based on the prepared garlic oil nanoemulsion, astaxanthin–garlic oil nanoemulsions were prepared using spontaneous microemulsification technique. Response surface methodology was employed to evaluate the effects of independent variables namely, amount of garlic oil nanoemulsion (1–9 mL) and amount of provided astaxanthin powder (1–9 g) on particle size and polydispersity index (PDI) of the resulted nanoemulsions. Results of optimization indicated that well dispersed and spherical nanodroplets were formed in the nanoemulsions with minimum particle size (76 nm) and polydispersity index (PDI, 0.358) and maximum zeta potential value (−8.01 mV), using garlic oil nanoemulsion amount of 8.27 mL and 4.15 g of astaxanthin powder. Strong antioxidant activity (>100%) of the prepared astaxanthin–garlic oil nanoemulsion, using obtained optimum amounts of the components, could be related to the highest antioxidant activity of the colloidal astaxanthin (>100%) as compared to that of the garlic oil nanoemulsion (16.4%). However, higher bactericidal activity of the resulted nanoemulsion against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, were related to the main sulfur bioactive components of the garlic oil in which their main functional groups were detected by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy.

Intensification and optimization of the process for thyme oil in water nanoemulsions preparation using subcritical water and xanthan gum

Intensified process based on subcritical water conditions (120 °C and 1.5 atm, for 2 h) was utilized to prepare thyme oil in water (O/W) nanoemulsions. In this technique, water and xanthan gum, as green solvent and natural microbial emulsifier, were utilized. Results of gas chromatography revealed that Thymol and Carvacrol were two main bioactive compounds of the extracted thyme oil. Effects of amounts of xanthan gum (0.05–0.25 g) and thyme essential oil (0.2–0.8 mL) on size of oil nanodroplets and polydispersity index (PDI) of the resulted nanoemulsions were evaluated using response surface methodology. Results demonstrated that the produced thyme O/W nanoemulsion by 0.242 mL thyme oil and 0.140 g xanthan gum had smallest average nanodroplet size (150 nm) and PDI (0.088). Furthermore, monodispersed and spherical in shape thyme oil nanodroplets were provided in the nanoemulsion using these optimal conditions with zeta potential value of −10.1 mV and antioxidant activity of 17.4%. Results also indicated that this prepared nanoemulsion had high fungicidal and bactericidal activities toward Penicillium digitatum and Escherichia coli, respectively.

Effects of rotation speed and time, as solvent removal parameters, on the physico-chemical properties of prepared α-tocopherol nanoemulsions using solvent-displacement technique

A bottom-up approach based on solvent-displacement technique was used to prepare α-tocopherol nanoemulsions. Effects of two main evaporation parameters namely, rotation speed (1 × 10-9 × 10 rpm) and rotation time (5-15 min) of utilized vacuum rotary evaporator, on the mean particle size, polydispersity index (PDI) and α-tocopherol degradation of the formed nanodroplets were evaluated using response surface methodology. Obtained results suggested three polynomial regression models for predicting the studied response variables' affected by selected evaporation parameters. Relatively high coefficients of determination for suggested models (> 0.7839) confirmed the suitability of the generated models. Multiple-optimization procedure revealed that the optimum amounts of evaporation speed and time were 30 rpm and 10 min, respectively, which in that, prepared spherical α-tocopherol nanoemulsions had mean particle size, PDI and concentration values of 48.9 nm, 0.232 and 358.7 mg/L, respectively.

Green approach in food nanotechnology based on subcritical water: effects of thyme oil and saponin on characteristics of the prepared oil in water nanoemulsions

Thyme oil in water nanomulsion was prepared under subcritical water conditions using water and saponin, as solvent and emulsifier, respectively. Gas chromatography revealed that there were 44 bioactive components in the extracted thyme essential oil which, thymol and carvacrol were two mains of them. Experiments were designed based on central composite design and effects of amounts of saponin and thyme essential oil were evaluated on particle size, polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta potential of the prepared nanoemulsions using response surface methodology. Obtained results revealed that more desirable thyme oil nanoemulsions with minimum particle size (184.51 nm) and PDI (0.514), and maximum zeta potential (- 22.51 mV) were prepared using 0.94 g of saponin and 0.28 mL of thyme essential oil. Furthermore, results indicated that prepared nanoemulsion using obtained optimum production conditions had relatively high antioxidant activity (24%) and high antibacterial and antifungal activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Penicillium digitatum.

Preparation of Ginger Oil in Water Nanoemulsion Using Phase Inversion Composition Technique: Effects of Stirring and Water Addition Rates on their Physico-Chemical Properties and Stability

Ginger oil in water (O/W) nanoemulsions, were produced using phase inversion composition method and Tween 80, as emulsifier. Effects of processing parameters namely, stirring rate (100 to1000 rpm) and water addition rate (1–10 mL/min) were evaluated on the physico-chemical, morphological, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the prepared O/W nanoemulsions using response surface methodology (RSM). Results indicated that well dispersed and spherical ginger nanodroplets were formed in the nanoemulsions with minimum particle size (8.80 nm) and polydispersity index (PDI, 0.285) and maximum zeta potential value (−9.15 mV), using stirring rate and water addition rate of 736 rpm and 8.18 mL/min, respectively. Insignificant differences between predicted and experimental values of the response variables, indicated suitability of fitted models using RSM. Mean particle size of the prepared nanoemulsion using optimum conditions were changed from 8.81 ± 1 to 9.80 ± 1 nm, during 4 weeks of storage, which revealed high stability of the resulted ginger O/W nanoemulsion. High antioxidant activity (55.4%), bactericidal (against Streptococcus mutans) and fungicidal (against Aspergillus niger) activities of the prepared nanoemulsion could be related to the presence of gingerols and shogaols, a group of phenolic alkanones, in the ginger oil, which those were detected by gas chromatography method.

Temperature Dependent Solubility of Benzoic Acid in Aqueous Phase and Aqueous Mixtures of Aliphatic Alcohols

The benzoic acid solubility in aqueous phase and in various aqueous mixtures of methanol, ethanol and 2-propanol was determined at temperatures ranging from 303 to 333 K by an analytical technique. The results showed that the solubility of the acid in alcohols-water binary mixtures is high as compared to pure aqueous phase. The addition of alcohols to water favors the dissolution of benzoic acid which increases further with the increase in alcohols content of water within the investigated temperature range. The benzoic acid solubility in water alone and aqueous mixtures of the selected alcohols was in the order of; 2-propanol in water > ethanol in water > methanol in water > pure water. It is also observed that within the investigated temperature range, the acid solubility increases with rise in temperature in both the aqueous phase and alcohols-water binary solvents. The logarithm of the mole fraction of the acid’s solubility also showed a linear trend against the temperature. The experimental results obtained in the current study were compared with the reported literature for the studied acid and other organic acids in various solvents and showing a good agreement. The study will have implications in the processes involving separation, crystallization and pharmaceutical formulation in various industries.