An Enhanced Water Solubility and Stability of Anthocyanins in Mulberry Processed with Hot Melt Extrusion

Effect of hot-melt extruded Morus alba leaves on intestinal microflora and epithelial cells

Although rutin and isoquercitrin have many effects, they are insoluble substances, making it difficult to obtain pure substances. This study was to investigate whether Morus alba leaves containing rutin and isoquercitrin could improve intestinal health by making a sustained-release formulation through a hot-melt extrusion (HME) process with improved stability and solubility and determine whether it could upregulate the balance of intestinal microorganisms and intestinal epithelial cells. A sustained-release formulation was prepared by the HME process using Morus alba leaves and a hydrophilic polymer matrix. Antibacterial activities of pathogenic microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Streptococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis) and proliferative effect of probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Pediococcus pentosaceus) were tested against intestinal microorganisms. Regarding intestinal epithelial cells, a co-culture model of Caco-2 cells and RAW 264.7 cells was used. It was confirmed that the extrudate exhibited high antibacterial activities against pathogenic microorganisms and affected the proliferation of probiotics. Furthermore, after inducing inflammation through LPS, it recovered transepithelial electrical resistance-increased levels of tight junction proteins and decreased expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. HME of Morus alba leaves containing rutin and isoquercitrin can upregulate intestinal microbial balance and intestinal epithelial cells.

Prokinetic Activity of Mulberry Fruit, Morus alba L

The fruit of Morus alba L. (MAF) has been consumed as a food worldwide. MAF has also been widely used in traditional medicine for thousands of years in East Asia, and its diverse bioactivities have been reported in numerous publications. However, no prokinetic activity has been reported for MAF or its components. In the present study, therefore, we investigated the effects of MAF on gastrointestinal motor function by measuring the intestinal transit rate (ITR) of Evans blue in mice in vivo. The ITR values accelerated by MAF were significantly higher than those accelerated by cisapride or metoclopramide, suggesting that MAF has potential as a new prokinetic agent to replace cisapride and metoclopramide. We also investigated the effects of MAF on myogenic and neurogenic contractions in human intestinal smooth muscles by measuring spontaneous contractions of smooth muscle strips, smooth muscle contractions induced by neural stimulation, and migrating motor complexes from intestinal segments in the human ileum and sigmoid colon in situ. MAF increased both myogenic and neurogenic contractions to enhance ileal and colonic motility in the human intestine. Taken together, these results indicate that MAF enhanced intestinal motility by increasing both myogenic and neurogenic contractions, thereby accelerating the ITR.

The Effect of Hot-Melt Extrusion of Mulberry Leaf on the Number of Active Compounds and Antioxidant Activity

The aim of this study is to compare the functions of the physiologically active compounds of three types of mulberry leaf by cultivar, and to confirm the changes using hot-melt extrusion (HME-ML). The active components of mulberry leaf were analyzed using the HPLC system, and total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity were measured. Among the three varieties, the highest contents of rutin and isoquercetin were detected in Cheongil, of TPC in Cheongol, and of TFC in Cheongil. It was confirmed that this bio-accessibility was increased in HME-ML compared with the control. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of Cheongol showed greater antioxidant properties, and HME showed improvement in the antioxidant properties of all mulberry leaves. These results suggest that the application of HME technology can improve the biological activities of mulberry leaf.

Employ of Anthocyanins in Nanocarriers for Nano Delivery: In Vitro and In Vivo Experimental Approaches for Chronic Diseases

Anthocyanins are among the best-known phenolic compounds and possess remarkable biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antidiabetic effects. Despite their therapeutic benefits, they are not widely used as health-promoting agents due to their instability, low absorption, and, thus, low bioavailability and rapid metabolism in the human body. Recent research suggests that the application of nanotechnology could increase their solubility and/or bioavailability, and thus their biological potential. Therefore, in this review, we have provided, for the first time, a comprehensive overview of in vitro and in vivo studies on nanocarriers used as delivery systems of anthocyanins, and their aglycones, i.e., anthocyanidins alone or combined with conventional drugs in the treatment or management of chronic diseases.

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) of Angelica Gigas Fabricated by Hot-Melt Extrusion Technology for Enhanced Antifungal Effects

Green synthesis for synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been suggested as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional physical/chemical methods. In this study, we report the green synthesis of AgNPs using a hot-melt extrusion-processed Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) (HME-AGN) extract as a reducing agent to increase the water solubility of the active ingredient compared to the existing AGN. The mixture of the AGN extract and AgNO₃ at about 420 nm could not confirm the formation of AgNPs. The synthesis of AgNPs was found to be most advantageous at 60 °C when the mixing ratio of the HME-AGN extract was 9:1 (AgNO₃-extract, v/v) using 3 mM AgNO₃. The physicochemical properties of the optimized AgNPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer, dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). DLS showed the particle size average of 102.3 ± 1.35 nm and polydispersity index (PDI) value of 0.314 ± 0.01. The particle surface charge was -35 ± 0.79 mV, confirming the stability of the particles. The particle shape was spherical, as shown through TEM analysis, and the presence of silver ions was confirmed through the EDS results. FT-IR data showed functional groups of biomolecules of the extract involved in the synthesis of AgNPs. The face-centered cubic (FCC) lattice of AgNPs was confirmed in the XRD pattern. The AgNPs had an effective antifungal activity against Candida albicans (C. albicans) that was better than that of the HME-AGN extract. In conclusion, this study suggests that the synthesis of AgNPs was improved by using the HME-AGN extract with increased water solubility through HME. In addition, it was suggested that the synthesized AgNPs can be used as an improved antifungal agent compared with the HME-AGN extract with antifungal activity.

The Influence of the Polymer Type on the Quality of Newly Developed Oral Immediate-Release Tablets Containing Amiodarone Solid Dispersions Obtained by Hot-Melt Extrusion

The present study aims to demonstrate the influence of the polymer-carrier type and proportion on the quality performance of newly developed oral immediate-release tablets containing amiodarone solid dispersions obtained by hot-melt extrusion. Twelve solid dispersions including amiodarone and different polymers (PEG 1500, PEG 4000; PEG 8000, Soluplus^®, and Kolliphor^® 188) were developed and prepared by hot-melt extrusion using a horizontal extruder realized by the authors in their own laboratory. Only eleven of the dispersions presented suitable physical characteristics and they were used as active ingredients in eleven tablet formulations that contain the same amounts of the same excipients, varying only in solid dispersion type. The solid dispersions’ properties were established by optical microscopy with reflected light, volumetric controls and particle size evaluation. In order to prove that the complex powders have appropriate physical characteristics for the direct compression process, they were subjected to different analyses regarding their flowability and compressibility behavior. Additionally, the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis were performed on the obtained solid dispersions. After confirming the proper physical attributes for all blends, they were processed into the form of tablets by direct compression technology. The manufactured tablets were evaluated for pharmacotechnical (dimensions–diameter and thickness, mass uniformity, hardness and friability) and in vitro biopharmaceutical (disintegration time and drug release) performances. Furthermore, the influence of the polymer matrix on their quality was determined. The high differences in flow and compression performances of the solid dispersions prove the relevant influence of the polymer type and their concentration-dependent plasticizing properties. The increase in flowability and compressibility characteristics of the solid dispersions could be noticed after combining them with direct compression excipients owning superior mechanical qualities. The influence of the polymer type is best detected in the disintegration test, where the obtained values are quite different between the studied formulations. The use of PEG 1500 alone or combined in various proportions with Soluplus^® leads to rapid disintegration. In contrast, the mixture of PEG 4000 and Poloxamer 188 in equal proportions determined the increase in disintegration time to 120 s. The use of Poloxamer 188 alone and a 3:1 combination of PEG 4000 and Soluplus^® also generates a prolonged disintegration time for the tablets.