Essential-Oil-Loaded Nanoemulsion Lipidic-Phase Optimization and Modeling by Response Surface Methodology (RSM): Enhancement of Their Antimicrobial Potential and Bioavailability in Nanoscale Food Delivery System

The Impact of Surfactant Structures and High-Speed Mixing Dynamics in Achieving Nano-Sized Emulsions with Simple High-Speed Homogenization

Purpose

This study investigates the impact of various mixing parameters and surfactant combinations on the physical characteristics of nanoemulsions produced using high-speed homogenization. Nanoemulsions are explored for their capacity to enhance transdermal drug delivery in pharmaceutical and cosmetic contexts.

Methods

Employing a standard high-speed homogenizer typical in the cosmetic industry, we tested different combinations of Polysorbate (Tween®) and Sorbitan ester (Span®) surfactants under single and intermittent process configurations. Key parameters assessed included particle size, size distribution, Oswald ripening, and creaming index.

Results

Nanoemulsions synthesized had particle sizes below 200 nm and appeared as white liquids with slight creaming. Extended mixing times were associated with smaller droplet sizes and reduced creaming. Both processing methods yielded similar nanoemulsion properties, indicating minimal impact from the type of process used. The nanoemulsions exhibited polydispersity indices ranging from 0.3 to 0.5, suggesting a uniform size distribution, and showed negligible Oswald ripening, which indicates stable droplet sizes over time.

Conclusion

The study confirms that precise control of mixing parameters and the selection of appropriate surfactant pairs are more critical than the choice of process in producing stable nanoemulsions. With efficient use of standard high-speed homogenizers, stable nanoemulsions suitable for large-scale production can be achieved, providing a cost-effective method for pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Synergistic integration of deep learning with protein docking in cardiovascular disease treatment strategies

This research delves into the exploration of the potential of tocopherol-based nanoemulsion as a therapeutic agent for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) through an in-depth molecular docking analysis. The study focuses on elucidating the molecular interactions between tocopherol and seven key proteins (1O8a, 4YAY, 4DLI, 1HW9, 2YCW, 1BO9 and 1CX2) that play pivotal roles in CVD development. Through rigorous in silico docking investigations, assessment was conducted on the binding affinities, inhibitory potentials and interaction patterns of tocopherol with these target proteins. The findings revealed significant interactions, particularly with 4YAY, displaying a robust binding energy of -6.39 kcal/mol and a promising Ki value of 20.84 μM. Notable interactions were also observed with 1HW9, 4DLI, 2YCW and 1CX2, further indicating tocopherol's potential therapeutic relevance. In contrast, no interaction was observed with 1BO9. Furthermore, an examination of the common residues of 4YAY bound to tocopherol was carried out, highlighting key intermolecular hydrophobic bonds that contribute to the interaction's stability. Tocopherol complies with pharmacokinetics (Lipinski's and Veber's) rules for oral bioavailability and proves safety non-toxic and non-carcinogenic. Thus, deep learning-based protein language models ESM1-b and ProtT5 were leveraged for input encodings to predict interaction sites between the 4YAY protein and tocopherol. Hence, highly accurate predictions of these critical protein-ligand interactions were achieved. This study not only advances the understanding of these interactions but also highlights deep learning's immense potential in molecular biology and drug discovery. It underscores tocopherol's promise as a cardiovascular disease management candidate, shedding light on its molecular interactions and compatibility with biomolecule-like characteristics.

The Influence of a Nanoemulsion of Cardamom Essential Oil on the Growth Performance, Feed Utilization, Carcass Characteristics, and Health Status of Growing Rabbits under a High Ambient Temperature

Recently, nanotechnology approaches have been employed to enhance the solubility, availability, and efficacy of phytochemicals, overcoming some industrial obstacles and natural biological barriers. In this regard, 120 clinically healthy growing V-line rabbits (5 weeks old) reared during the summer season were divided randomly into four equal experimental groups (30 rabbits each). The first group received a basal diet without the supplementation of the nanoemulsion of cardamom essential oil (NCEO) (0 g/kg diet) and served as a control (NCEO 0). The other groups were given diets containing NCEO at levels of 150 (NCEO 150), 300 (NCEO 300), and 600 (NCEO 600) mg/kg diet, respectively. The growth performance (higher LBW and ADG), feed utilization (lower FCR), dressing percentage, and relative weight of the liver were improved significantly in the NCEO-treated groups compared to the control group. Moreover, the dietary treatment significantly decreased the rectum temperature and respiration rate, minimizing the 350 and 325 mg NECO/kg diets. The erythrocyte count, hematocrit, and hemoglobin concentration were significantly increased (p < 0.05), while white blood cells were significantly diminished (p = 0.0200) in the NCEO300 and NCEO600 groups compared to the control group. Treatment with 300 or 600 mg NCEO/kg significantly increased the blood serum total protein and albumin compared to the control group. Meanwhile, the liver enzymes (AST and ALT), uric acid, and creatinine concentrations decreased significantly in the NCEO300 group compared to the control group. The concentrations of triglycerides and total cholesterol were reduced significantly by the dietary treatment. The total antioxidant capacity, dismutase activity, and glutathione concentration were significantly higher, while the malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels were significantly lower in the NCEO300 group than in the control. The inflammatory responses and immunity statuses were improved in the blood serum of the NCEO-treated rabbits compared to the control. Heat-stress-induced pathological perturbations in renal/hepatic tissues and NCEO co-treatment successfully re-established and recovered near-control renal-hepatic morphology. In conclusion, a dietary supplementation of NCEO (300 mg/kg) could effectively enhance growing rabbits' growth indices, feed efficiency, redox balance, immunity, and inflammatory responses during the summer.

Stabilization of Essential Oil: Polysaccharide-Based Drug Delivery System with Plant-like Structure Based on Biomimetic Concept

Essential oils (EOs) have stability problems, including volatility, oxidation, photosensitivity, heat sensitivity, humidity sensitivity, pH sensitivity, and ion sensitivity. A drug delivery system is an effective way to stabilize EOs, especially due to the protective effect of polymeric drug carriers. Polysaccharides are frequently employed as drug carrier materials because they are highly safe, come in a variety of forms, and have plentiful sources. Interestingly, the EO drug delivery system is based on the biomimetic concept since it corresponds to the structure of plant tissue. In this paper, we associate the biomimetic plant-like structures of the EO drug delivery system with the natural forms of EO in plant tissues, and summarize the characteristics of polysaccharide-based drug carriers for EO protection. Thus, we highlight the research progress on polysaccharides and their modified materials, including gum arabic, starch, cellulose, chitosan, sodium alginate, pectin, and pullulan, and their use as biomimetic drug carriers for EO preparations due to their abilities and potential for EO protection.

Curcumin: Overview of Extraction Methods, Health Benefits, and Encapsulation and Delivery Using Microemulsions and Nanoemulsions

Curcumin is the principal curcuminoid found in the rhizomes of turmeric. Due to its therapeutic action against cancer, depression, diabetes, some bacteria, and oxidative stress, it has been used widely in medicine since ancient times. Due to its low solubility, the human organism cannot completely absorb it. Advanced extraction technologies, followed by encapsulation in microemulsion and nanoemulsion systems, are currently being used to improve bioavailability. This review discusses the different methods available for curcumin extraction from plant material, methods for the identification of curcumin in the resulting extracts, its beneficial effects on human health, and the encapsulation techniques into small colloidal systems that have been used over the past decade to deliver this compound.

Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity of Nanoemulsion-Based Natural Compound Delivery Systems Compared with Non-Nanoemulsified Versions

This study aimed to develop nanoemulsions with a focus on improving the bioactivity of oregano essential oil (OEO), carvacrol and thymol for possible food applications. Nanoemulsions were prepared with acoustic cavitation using ultrasound. The nanodroplets had average diameters of 54.47, 81.66 and 84.07 nm for OEO, thymol and carvacrol, respectively. The main compound in OEO was carvacrol (74%), and the concentration in the nanoemulsions was 9.46 mg/mL for OEO and the isolated compounds. The effects of droplet size reduction on antioxidant, antibacterial and antibiofilm activity were evaluated. Regarding antioxidant activity, the nanoemulsions performed better at the same concentration, with inhibitions >45% of the DPPH radical and significant differences compared with their non-nanoemulsified versions (p < 0.05). The nanoemulsions' minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and non-nanoemulsified compounds were evaluated against foodborne pathogens with inhibition ranges between 0.147 and 2.36 mg/mL. All evaluated pathogens were more sensitive to nanoemulsions, with reductions of up to four times in MIC compared with non-nanoemulsified versions. E. coli and S. Enteritidis were the most sensitive bacteria to the carvacrol nanoemulsion with MICs of 0.147 mg/mL. Concerning antibiofilm activity, nanoemulsions at concentrations up to four times lower than non-nanoemulsified versions showed inhibition of bacterial adhesion >67.2% and removal of adhered cells >57.7%. Overall, the observed effects indicate that droplet size reduction improved the bioactivity of OEO, carvacrol and thymol, suggesting that nanoemulsion-based delivery systems for natural compounds may be alternatives for food applications compared with free natural compounds.

Encapsulation of D-Limonene into O/W Nanoemulsions for Enhanced Stability

The present study aimed to investigate the physical stability in terms of (droplet size, pH, and ionic strength) and chemical stability in terms of (retention) of D-limonene (LM) in the nanoemulsions after emulsification as well as after storing them for 30 days under different temperatures (5 °C, 25 °C, and 50 °C). LM is a cyclic monoterpene and a major component extracted from citrus fruits. The modification of disperse phase with soybean oil (SB) and a nonionic emulsifier (Tween 80) was adequate to prepare stable LM-loaded nanoemulsions. LM blended with SB-loaded nanoemulsions were stable against droplet growth over pH (3-9) and ionic strength (0-500 mM NaCl). Regarding long-term storage, the prepared nanoemulsions demonstrated excellent physical stability with droplet size ranging from 120-130 nm during 30 days of storage at both 5 °C and 25 °C; however, oiling off started in the emulsions, which were stored at 50 °C from day 10. On the other hand, the retention of LM in the emulsions was significantly impacted by storage temperature. Nanoemulsions stored at 5 °C had the highest retention of 91%, while nanoemulsions stored at 25 °C had the lowest retention of 82%.

Formulation and Biomedical Activity of Oil-in-Water Nanoemulsion Combining Tinospora smilacina Water Extract and Calophyllum inophyllum Seeds Oil

Introduction

Tinospora smilacina is a native plant used in traditional medicine by First Nations peoples in Australia to treat inflammation. In our previous study, an optimised Calophyllum inophyllum seed oil (CSO) nanoemulsion (NE) showed improved biomedical activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant activity, cell viability and in vitro wound healing efficacy compared to CSO.

Methods

In this study, a stable NE formulation combining T. smilacina water extract (TSWE) and CSO in a nanoemulsion (CTNE) was prepared to integrate the bioactive compounds in both native plants and improve wound healing efficacy. D-optimal mixture design was used to optimise the physicochemical characteristics of the CTNE, including droplet size and polydispersity index (PDI). Cell viability and in vitro wound healing studies were done in the presence of CTNE, TSWE and CSO against a clone of baby hamster kidney fibroblasts (BHK-21 cell clone BSR-T7/5).

Results

The optimised CTNE had a 24 ± 5 nm particle size and 0.21± 0.02 PDI value and was stable after four weeks each at 4 °C and room temperature. According to the results, incorporating TSWE into CTNE improved its antioxidant activity, cell viability, and ability to promote wound healing. The study also revealed that TSWE has >6% higher antioxidant activity than CSO. While CTNE did not significantly impact mammalian cell viability, it exhibited wound-healing properties in the BSR cell line during in vitro testing. These findings suggest that adding TSWE may enhance CTNE's potential as a wound-healing treatment.

Conclusion

This is the first study demonstrating NE formulation in which two different plant extracts were used in the aqueous and oil phases with improved biomedical activities.

New Approach for Preparing Solid Lipid Nanoparticles with Volatile Oil-Loaded Quercetin Using the Phase-Inversion Temperature Method

Quercetin (QCT), a natural flavonoid, is of research interest owing to its pharmacological properties. However, its pharmacokinetic limitations could hinder its widespread therapeutic use. Nanocarriers, especially solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), might overcome this constraint. This study aimed to investigate QCT-loaded SLNs prepared via a new approach using a volatile oil. The phase-inversion temperature method was used to incorporate rosemary oil (RMO) into SLNs prepared using solid lipids possessing different chemical structures. Among the solid lipids used in the formulations, trilaurin (TLR) exhibited the smallest particle size and good stability after a temperature cycling test. SLNs prepared with a ratio of RMO to TLR of 1:3 could load QCT with an entrapment efficiency of >60% and drug loading of ~2% w/w. The smallest particle size was achieved using the polyoxyethylene-hydrogenated castor oil RH40, and the particle size depended on the concentration. The drug-release profile of QCT_TLR exhibited prolonged biphasic release for >24 h. QCT_TLR was a safe formulation, as indicated by a cell viability percentage of >75% at <2% v/v. In a computer simulation, the system with RMO enabled smaller sized SLNs than those without RMO. This new discovery shows great promise for producing SLNs via the phase-inversion temperature method with incorporation of volatile oil, particularly for delivering compounds with limited water solubility.