Optimization of Microwave-Assisted Green Method for Enhanced Solubilization of Water-Soluble Curcuminoids Prepared Using Steviol Glycosides

Production of Stevia-Based Persimmon Fruit Leather by Microwave Oven and Its Optimization With Response Surface Methodolog

The consumer preference for low-calorie and nutritious foods has urged the attention of researchers and food designers to develop food products with alternative organic ingredients. For the first time, persimmon is successfully developed into fruit leather (pestil) using a non-caloric stevia sweetener. The study started with the production of persimmon (Diospyros kaki) leather, initially evaluating the compatibility of non-caloric stevia (S T) sweetener with hydrocolloids (corn starch, pectin, and guar gum) by the hot air oven method, in which guar gum exhibited superior flexibility. After setting the leather recipe, the trials were performed in a microwave oven by employing a Box-Behnken experimental design to optimize the drying process. Independent variables including microwave power (MP), microwave time (MT), and leather thickness (LT) have shown their optimum values at 210 W, 30 min, and 3.5 mm, respectively, based on physicochemical analyses focusing on moisture content, texture, color, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant capacity (AC). MP had the most substantial impact on the variables, followed by MT, while LT showed the least influence. Optimized development of microwave products emphasized better physicochemical attributes, highlighting the energy-efficient nature of the resulting product in comparison to hot air-dried product. Sensory evaluation favored the optimized microwave-dried product over the hot air oven leather products. Therefore, utilizing novel processing technologies like microwave drying is recommended for producing functional (S T) based persimmon leather to uphold superior product quality.

Rubusoside As a Multifunctional Stabilizer for Novel Nanocrystal-Based Solid Dispersions with a High Drug Loading: A Case Study

The oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs has always been the focus of pharmaceutical researchers. We innovatively combined nanocrystal technology and solid dispersion technology to prepare novel nanocrystalline solid dispersions (NCSDs), which enable both the solidification and redispersion of nanocrystals, offering a promising new pathway for oral delivery of insoluble Chinese medicine ingredients. The rubusoside (Rub) was first used as the multifunctional stabilizer of novel apigenin nanocrystal-based solid dispersions (AP-NSD), improving the in vitro solubilization rate of the insoluble drug apigenin(AP). AP-NSD has been produced using a combination of homogenisation and spray-drying technology. The effects of stabilizer type and concentration on AP nanosuspensions (AP-NS) particles, span, and zeta potential were studied. And the effects of different types of protective agents on the yield and redispersibility of AP-NSD were also studied. Furthermore, AP-NSD was characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). Solubility was used to assess the in vitro dissolution of AP-NSD relative to APIs and amorphous solid dispersions (AP-ASD), and AP-ASD was prepared by the solvent method. The results showed that 20% Rub stabilized AP-NSD exhibited high drug-loading and good redispersibility and stability, and higher in vitro dissolution rate, which may be related to the presence of Rub on surface of drug. Therefore provides a natural and safe option for the development of formulations for insoluble drugs.

Simultaneous improvement of the physical and biological properties of starch films by incorporating steviol glycoside-based solid dispersion

Bioactive compounds are frequently incorporated into polysaccharides (e.g., starch) to form active biodegradable films for food packaging, but some of them are water insoluble (e.g., curcumin, CUR) that will make the films have undesirable performance. Herein, CUR was successfully solubilized into the aqueous starch film solution by steviol glycoside (STE, a natural sweetener)-based solid dispersion. The mechanisms of solubilization and film formation were explored through molecular dynamic simulation and various characterization methods. The results showed that the amorphous state of CUR combined with micellar encapsulation of STE achieved the solubilization of CUR. STE and starch chains cooperated to form the film via hydrogen bonding, while CUR was uniformly and densely distributed within the film in the form of needle-like microcrystals. The as-prepared film exhibited high flexibility, great moisture barrier, and excellent UV barrier (UV transmittance: ∼0 %). Compared with the film containing CUR alone, the as-prepared film possessed higher release efficiency, antibacterial activity, and pH response sensitivity due to the assistance of STE. Hence, the introduction of STE-based solid dispersion can simultaneously improve the biological and physical properties of starch films, which provides a green, nontoxic, and facile strategy for the perfect integration of hydrophobic bioactive compounds and polysaccharide-based films.

Solubilized curcuminoid complex prevents extensive immunosuppression through immune restoration and antioxidant activity: Therapeutic potential against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)

The therapeutic benefits of curcuminoids in various diseases have been extensively reported. However, little is known regarding their preventive effects on extensive immunosuppression. We investigated the immunoregulatory effects of a curcuminoid complex (CS/M), solubilized with stevioside, using a microwave-assisted method in a cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppressive mouse model and identified its new pharmacological benefits. CTX-treated mice showed a decreased number of innate cells, such as dendritic cells (DCs), neutrophils, and natural killer (NK) cells, and adaptive immune cells (CD4 and CD8 T cells) in the spleen. In addition, CTX administration decreased T cell activation, especially that of Th1 and CD8 T cells, whereas it increased Th2 and regulatory T (Treg) cell activations. Pre-exposure of CS/M to CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice restored the number of innate cells (DCs, neutrophils, and NK cells) and increased their activity (including the activity of macrophages). Exposure to CS/M also led to the superior restoration of T cell numbers, including Th1, activated CD8 T cells, and multifunctional T cells, suppressed by CTX, along with a decrease in Th2 and Treg cells. Furthermore,CTX-injected mice pre-exposed to CS/M were accompanied by an increase in the levels of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase), which play an essential role against oxidative stress. Importantly, CS/M treatment significantly reduced viral loads in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2-infected hamsters and attenuated the gross pathology in the lungs. These results provide new insights into the immunological properties of CS/M in preventing extensive immunosuppression and offer new therapeutic opportunities against various cancers and infectious diseases caused by viruses and intracellular bacteria.

Technologies for Solubility, Dissolution and Permeation Enhancement of Natural Compounds

The current review is based on the advancements in the field of natural therapeutic agents which could be utilized for a variety of biomedical applications and against various diseases and ailments. In addition, several obstacles have to be circumvented to achieve the desired therapeutic effectiveness, among which limited dissolution and/or solubility and permeability are included. To counteract these issues, several advancements in the field of natural therapeutic substances needed to be addressed. Therefore, in this review, the possible techniques for the dissolution/solubility and permeability improvements have been addressed which could enhance the dissolution and permeability up to several times. In addition, the conventional and modern isolation and purification techniques have been emphasized to achieve the isolation and purification of single or multiple therapeutic constituents with convenience and smarter approaches. Moreover, a brief overview of advanced natural compounds with multiple therapeutic effectiveness have also been anticipated. In brief, enough advancements have been carried out to achieve safe, effective and economic use of natural medicinal agents with improved stability, handling and storage.