Extraction of curcuminoids and ar-turmerone from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) using hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HDESs) and application as HDES-based microemulsions

Effect of (multi pin) atmospheric cold plasma treatment on curcumin extraction and investigating phytochemicals, antioxidants, physical and morphological properties of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) powder

This investigation was focused on the impact of cold plasma (CP) on the extraction of curcumin and bioactive compounds of turmeric powder (TP). TP was treated with CP at different applied voltages (10, 20, and 30 kV), with various exposure times (10, 20, and 30 min). The curcumin content was highest at 30 kV for 10 min with a yield of 46.49 mg/g of TP. Total phenols significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced from 163.91 to 360.78 mg GAE/g DW accompanied by a remarkable 16% increment in total flavonoids, paralleled by a 26% increment in antioxidants as of control. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra justified the extraction of curcuminoids. Moreover, micrographs displayed cell lysis in the treated powder. CP has exhibited a positive effect on surface colour parameters and thermal properties of TP. Overall, CP technology can be tailored for better curcumin extraction and the enhancement of phytochemicals.

Development of Curcumin and Turmerone Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticle for Topical Delivery: Optimization, Characterization and Skin Irritation Evaluation with 3D Tissue Model

Background

Curcuma longa L., commonly known as turmeric, is renowned for its therapeutic benefits attributed to bioactive compounds, namely curcumin (Cur) and aromatic turmerone (Tur), present in its rhizome. These compounds exhibit diverse therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-tumor effects. However, the topical application of these compounds has a significant potential for inducing skin irritation. This study focuses on formulating solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) carriers encapsulating both Cur and Tur for reduced irritation and enhanced stability.

Methods

SLN formulations were prepared by a method using homogenization followed by ultrasonication procedures and optimized by applying response surface methodology (RSM).

Results

The optimized SLN formulation demonstrated entrapment efficiencies, with 77.21 ± 4.28% for Cur and 75.12 ± 2.51% for Tur. A size distribution of 292.11 ± 9.43 nm was obtained, which was confirmed to be a spherical and uniform shape via environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) images. The in vitro release study indicated cumulative releases of 71.32 ± 3.73% for Cur and 67.23 ± 1.64% for Tur after 24 hours under sink conditions. Physical stability tests confirmed the stability of formulation, allowing storage at 4°C for a minimum of 60 days. Notably, in vitro skin irritation studies, utilizing the reconstructed human epidermal model (EPI-200-SIT), revealed a significant reduction in irritation with the SLN containing Cur and Tur compared to nonencapsulated Cur and Tur.

Conclusion

These findings collectively endorse the optimized SLN formulation as a favorable delivery system for Cur and Tur in diverse topical uses, offering enhanced stability, controlled release and reduced irritation.

Extraction of Active Compounds from Mixtures of Hemp (Cannabis sativa) with Plants of the Zingiberaceae Family

Hemp is probably one of the most studied plants for its health-promoting properties, with countless documented and patented extraction methods, but literature is scarce on the simultaneous extraction of mixture of raw materials. Hemp, along with other plant materials, could represent a potentially highly valuable source material with resulting reciprocal effects. In this study, hemp (Cannabis sativa) and three members of the Zingiberaceae family, ginger (Zingiber officinale), turmeric (Curcuma longa), and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), were extracted simultaneously, and their bioactive component values were investigated. Two extraction methods were used, namely ultrasound-assisted extraction with ethanol and supercritical fluid extraction with carbon dioxide. First, extracts were obtained from separate plant materials. Then, hemp was extracted in combination with ginger, turmeric, and cardamom in a 1:1 ratio. The extracts obtained were evaluated for their antioxidant activity and total phenolic content using UV/VIS spectrophotometry; cannabinoid content, 6-gingerol, and 6-shogaol were measured using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS); volatile components such as 1,8-cineole, alpha-terpinyl acetate, linalool, and aR-turmerone were measured using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

D-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate-based microemulsion delivery system: Stability enhancement of physicochemical properties of luteolin

In the present study, D-α-Tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate-based self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (TPGS-SMEDDS) were introduced to enhance the solubility and stability of luteolin. The ternary phase diagrams were constructed to obtain the maximum area of microemulsion and suitable formulations of TPGS-SMEDDS. The particle size distribution and polydispersity index of selected TPGS-SMEDDS were analyzed to be less than 100 nm and 0.4, respectively. The thermodynamic stability results suggested that the TPGS-SMEDDS was stable during the heat-cool and freeze-thaw cycle. Moreover, the TPGS-SMEDDS exhibited excellent encapsulation capacity (51.21 ± 4.39 to 85.71 ± 2.40%) and loading efficiency (61.46 ± 5.27 to 102.86 ± 2.88 mg/g) to luteolin. In addition, the TPGS-SMEDDS showed an admirable vitro release ability with a ratio of more than 88.40 ± 1.14% for luteolin in 24 h. Therefore, TPGS-based SMEDDS might provide an effective role for the oral administration of luteolin and holds promise as a potential delivery for poorly soluble bioactive compounds.

Are all poorly soluble drugs dissolved in deep eutectic solvents true solutions?

HYPOTHESIS

The ability of deep eutectic solvents (DES) to enhance solubility of poorly soluble drugs has attracted increasing attention. Researchers have shown that drugs could be dissolved well in DES. In this study, we propose a new existence state of drugs in DES: a quasi-two-phase colloidal system.

EXPERIMENTS

Six poorly soluble drugs were used as the models. The formation of colloidal systems was observed visually by the Tyndall effect and DLS. TEM and SAXS were performed to obtain their structure information. The intermolecular interactions between components were probed via DSC and ¹H¹H-ROESY. In addition, the properties of colloidal systems were further studied.

FINDINGS

Our key finding is that several drugs like lurasidone hydrochloride (LH) could form stable colloids in [Th (thymol)] - [Da (decanoic acid)] DES, resulting from weak interactions between drugs and DES, which is different from the true solution of drugs like ibuprofen where strong interactions were formed. In this LH-DES colloidal system, DES solvation layer was directly observed on the surface of drug particles. In addition, the colloidal system with polydispersity shows superior physical and chemical stability. Different to the prevailing view that substances are fully dissolved in DES, this study discovers another existence state as stable colloidal particles in DES.

Therapeutic deep eutectic solvent-based microemulsion enhances anti-inflammatory efficacy of curcuminoids and aromatic-turmerone extracted from Curcuma longa L

To diminish chemical waste and improve the delivery of Curcuma longa L. (CL) constituents, microemulsions based on hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HDESs) were designed as ready-to-use solvents for CL extraction. The microemulsion (ME) of the ME-23 formulation (HDES/Tween 80 : propylene glycol (1 : 1)/water, 25/70/5) displayed CL extraction yields of 1.69, 3.04, 7.36, and 1.39 wt% of bisdemethoxycurcumin, demethoxycurcumin, curcumin, and aromatic-turmerone, respectively. The ME-23 without CL chemical constituents and ME-23-based CL extract inhibited NO production with an IC₅₀ value of 0.0136 ± 0.0023%v/v and a curcumin IC₅₀ value of 75.2 ± 6.7 nM, respectively, and simultaneously lowered inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β production in lipopolysaccharide-activated murine macrophages. Authentic curcumin in ME-23 possessed superior NO inhibitory activity, which was 103-fold more effective than curcumin prepared in the conventional solvent dimethyl sulfoxide. ME-23 was also capable of delivering curcumin into murine macrophages. After 30 days of storage in HDES and HDES-based ME, curcumin remained more than 90%. ME-23 provides advantages for CL extraction, constituent delivery, and anti-inflammatory functions that can be applied to pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.

A novel HDES-based microemulsion system with anti-inflammatory activity serves as an extraction solvent of Curcuma longa L.