Inclusion of piperine in β-cyclodextrin complexes improves their bioaccessibility and in vitro antioxidant capacity

Characterization and stability evaluation of Egyptian propolis extract nano-capsules and their application

The increasing demand for natural products and biotechnological activities from bees facilitate their widespread use in food preservation and beneficial effects on humans. This study aimed to prepare and characterize the nano-capsules of Qaluiobia (PQG) governorates propolis extracted with water, ethanol and supercritical fluid-carbon dioxide at 50 °C with co-solvent. Propolis bioavailability was analyzed and introduced to prepare crackers to extend their shelf life. Nano-encapsulation was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and antioxidant activity. Ethanol and supercritical fluid-carbon dioxide (SCF-CO2) at 50 °C with ethanol as co-solvent recorded higher yield, antioxidant activities, total phenolics and total flavonoids. SCF-CO2 extracts had a higher flavonoid concentration. It was revealed that propolis nano-capsules had high-temperature stability and cytotoxic effects against the three tested human cancer cell lines (i.e. PC3, MCF7 and HePG2). The higher overall acceptability of crackers fortified with PQG was achieved with SCF-CO2 at 50 °C and ethanol extract nano-capsules, i.e. 86.57% and 86.29% respectively. The higher ability to retain antioxidant activity reduces the increase of peroxide value (PV), preventing rancidity and increasing the shelf life of crackers during the storage period. Practical application: This study can provide a suitable method for extracting bioactive compounds from propolis, and improve the biological properties and activities by nano-encapsulation, also reveals the extent of its use as a natural antioxidant and anticancer and its application in bakery products as a functional food.

Influence of Complexation with β- and γ-Cyclodextrin on Bioactivity of Whey and Colostrum Peptides

Dairy protein hydrolysates possess a broad spectrum of bioactivity and hypoallergenic properties, as well as pronounced bitter taste. The bitterness is reduced by complexing the proteolysis products with cyclodextrins (CDs), and it is also important to study the bioactivity of the peptides in inclusion complexes. Hydrolysates of whey and colostrum proteins with extensive hydrolysis degree and their complexes with β/γ-CD were obtained in the present study, and comprehensive comparative analysis of the experimental samples was performed. The interaction of CD with peptides was confirmed via different methods. Bioactivity of the initial hydrolysates and their complexes were evaluated. Antioxidant activity (AOA) was determined by fluorescence reduction of fluorescein in the Fenton system. Antigenic properties were studied by competitive enzyme immunoassay. Antimutagenic effect was estimated in the Ames test. According to the experimental data, a 2.17/2.78-fold and 1.45/2.14-fold increase in the AOA was found in the β/γ-CD interaction with whey and colostrum hydrolysates, respectively. A 5.6/5.3-fold decrease in the antigenicity of whey peptides in complex with β/γ-CD was detected, while the antimutagenic effect in the host-guest systems was comparable to the initial hydrolysates. Thus, bioactive CD complexes with dairy peptides were obtained. Complexes are applicable as a component of specialized foods (sports, diet).

Complexation of starch and phenolic compounds during food processing and impacts on the release of phenolic compounds

Phenolic compounds can form complexes with starch during food processing, which can modulate the release of phenolic compounds in the gastrointestinal tract and regulate the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds. The starch-phenolic complexation is determined by the structure of starch, phenolic compounds, and the food processing conditions. In this review, the complexation between starch and phenolic compounds during (hydro)thermal and nonthermal processing is reviewed. A hypothesis on the complexation kinetics is developed to elucidate the mechanism of complexation between starch and phenolic compounds considering the reaction time and the processing conditions. The subsequent effects of complexation on the physicochemical properties of starch, including gelatinization, retrogradation, and digestion, are critically articulated. Further, the release of phenolic substances and the bioaccessibility of different types of starch-phenolics complexes are discussed. The review emphasizes that the processing-induced structural changes of starch are the major determinant modulating the extent and manner of complexation with phenolic compounds. The controlled release of complexes formed between phenolic compounds and starch in the digestive tracts can modify the functionality of starch-based foods and, thus, can be used for both the modulation of glycemic response and the targeted delivery of phenolic compounds.

Hot-Melt Extrusion as an Effective Technique for Obtaining an Amorphous System of Curcumin and Piperine with Improved Properties Essential for Their Better Biological Activities

Poor bioavailability hampers the use of curcumin and piperine as biologically active agents. It can be improved by enhancing the solubility as well as by using bioenhancers to inhibit metabolic transformation processes. Obtaining an amorphous system of curcumin and piperine can lead to the overcoming of these limitations. Hot-melt extrusion successfully produced their amorphous systems, as shown by XRPD and DSC analyses. Additionally, the presence of intermolecular interactions between the components of the systems was investigated using the FT-IR/ATR technique. The systems were able to produce a supersaturation state as well as improve the apparent solubilities of curcumin and piperine by 9496- and 161-fold, respectively. The permeabilities of curcumin in the GIT and BBB PAMPA models increased by 12578- and 3069-fold, respectively, whereas piperine's were raised by 343- and 164-fold, respectively. Improved solubility had a positive effect on both antioxidant and anti-butyrylcholinesterase activities. The best system suppressed 96.97 ± 1.32% of DPPH radicals, and butyrylcholinesterase activity was inhibited by 98.52 ± 0.87%. In conclusion, amorphization remarkably increased the dissolution rate, apparent solubility, permeability, and biological activities of curcumin and piperine.

Amorphous System of Hesperetin and Piperine-Improvement of Apparent Solubility, Permeability, and Biological Activities

The low bioaccessibility of hesperetin and piperine hampers their application as therapeutic agents. Piperine has the ability to improve the bioavailability of many compounds when co-administered. The aim of this paper was to prepare and characterize the amorphous dispersions of hesperetin and piperine, which could help to improve solubility and boost the bioavailability of both plant-origin active compounds. The amorphous systems were successfully obtained by means of ball milling, as confirmed by XRPD and DSC studies. What's more, the FT-IR-ATR study was used to investigate the presence of intermolecular interactions between the systems' components. Amorphization enhanced the dissolution rate as a supersaturation state was reached, as well as improving the apparent solubility of both compounds by 245-fold and 183-fold, respectively, for hesperetin and piperine. In the in vitro permeability studies simulating gastrointestinal tract and blood-brain barrier permeabilities, these increased by 775-fold and 257-fold for hesperetin, whereas they were 68-fold and 66-fold for piperine in the GIT and BBB PAMPA models, respectively. Enhanced solubility had an advantageous impact on antioxidant as well as anti-butyrylcholinesterase activities-the best system inhibited 90.62 ± 0.58% of DPPH radicals and 87.57 ± 1.02% butyrylcholinesterase activity. To sum up, amorphization considerably improved the dissolution rate, apparent solubility, permeability, and biological activities of hesperetin and piperine.

Effects of encapsulation methods on bioaccessibility of anthocyanins: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Anthocyanins have multiple health benefits. However, they are prone to degradation during gastrointestinal digestion, impeding their utilization. Various encapsulation systems have been proposed to improve their bioaccessibility and bioavailability. This review aims to provide a systematic evaluation and meta-analysis of published studies examining the effect of microencapsulation on the bioaccessibility of anthocyanins. A comprehensive and systematic literature search of three databases (Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science) was conducted. Studies were selected according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria and were reviewed independently by two investigators. Overall, 34 articles were included in the systematic review and 24 were included in the meta-analysis. The fold changes in bioaccessibility between encapsulated and non-encapsulated anthocyanins from eligible studies were calculated. The median and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the fold changes for spray-drying (median 1.23, 95% CI 0.91-1.92), freeze-drying (median 1.19, 95% CI 0.61-1.28), simple coacervation (median 1.80, 95% CI 1.41-3.20), and complex coacervation (median 1.61, 95% CI 0.21-25.00) were calculated. Simple coacervation showed a promising protection against degradation during in vitro digestion. However, when a large number of anthocyanins cannot be released from the microparticles during digestion, encapsulation impedes the bioaccessibility of anthocyanins.

Structural Studies of Piperine Inclusion Complexes in Native and Derivative β-Cyclodextrins

Piperine (PN), the primary pungent alkaloid in black pepper shows several biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-cancerogenic effects. Similar to other alkaloids, PN is characterized by poor water solubility. One way to improve its solubility and thus its biological activities is by forming inclusion complexes with suitable cyclodextrins. In this work PN inclusion complexes in native β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), its methylated (randomly methylated (RM-β-CD), heptakis-(2,6-di-O-methyl)-β-CD (DM-β-CD) and heptakis-(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-β-CD (TM-β-CD)) and 2-hydroxypropylated (HP-β-CD) derivatives are investigated using physicochemical methods, such as phase solubility study and X-ray crystallography complemented by theoretical (molecular dynamics simulations) studies. The determination of the crystal structure of the PN inclusion complexes in β-CD, DM-β-CD and TM-β-CD, reveals the formation of 1:2 guest:host inclusion complexes in the crystalline state. The guest PN molecule threads the hydrophobic cavities of the hosts which are arranged as couples in a tail-to-tail mode in the case of PN/β-CD and in a head-to-tail mode in the cases of PN/DM-β-CD and PN/TM-β-CD. MD studies based on the crystallographically determined structures and docked models show the stability of the examined complexes in an aqueous environment whereas the binding affinity of PN for the host molecules is calculated by the MM/GBSA method. Finally, phase-solubility studies of PN with β-CD, RM-β-CD and HP-β-CD are presented, indicating a B_s-type for the PN/β-CD complex and an A_L-type for the PN/RM-β-CD and PN/HP-β-CD complexes with 1:1 guest:host stoichiometry.

Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized with Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and Castor Bean (Ricinus communis) Ethanolic Extracts Displayed Antiproliferative Effects and induced Caspase 3 Activity in Human HT29 and SW480 Cancer Cells

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are promising nanomaterials exhibiting anti-cancer effects. Green AuNPs synthesis using plant extracts can be used to achieve stable and beneficial nanoparticles due to their content of bioactive compounds. This research aimed to synthesize and evaluate the antiproliferative and caspase-3 activity induction of green AuNPs synthesized with common mullein (V. thapsus) flowers (AuNPsME) and castor bean (R. communis) leaves (AuNPsCE) ethanolic extracts in human HT29 and SW480 colorectal cancer cells. Their effect was compared with chemically synthesized AuNPs (AuNPsCS). The extracts mainly contained p-coumaric acid (71.88–79.93 µg/g), ferulic acid (19.07–310.71 µg/g), and rutin (8.14–13.31 µg/g). The obtained nanoparticles presented typical FT-IR bands confirming the inclusion of polyphenols from V. thapsus and R. communis and spherical/quasi-spherical morphologies with diameters in the 20.06–37.14 nm range. The nanoparticles (20–200 µg/mL) showed antiproliferative effects in both cell lines, with AuNPsCE being the most potent (IC50 HT29: 110.10 and IC50SW480: 64.57 µg/mL). The AuNPsCS showed the lowest intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in SW480 cells. All treatments induced caspase 3/7 activity to a similar or greater extent than 30 mM H2O2-treated cells. Results indicated the suitability of V. thapsus and R. communis extracts to synthesize AuNPs, displaying a stronger antiproliferative effect than AuNPsCS.

Effect of extraction technique on chemical compositions and antioxidant activities of freeze-dried green pepper

In this study, the yield, content of piperine, and antioxidant activity of pepper oleoresin obtained with the methods of maceration, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and ultrasound-MAE (UMAE) were analyzed, and the microstructure of pepper residue was observed. For the yield and piperine content, the UMAE method had the best extraction capacity among the four methods. While, the oleoresin obtained with maceration had the highest total phenolic content, and the antioxidant activity of the oleoresin obtained by maceration was higher than that of the extracts acquired by UAE, MAE, and UMAE, and a high positive correlation was observed between the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of the oleoresin obtained by these extraction methods. The ideal parameters for UMAE were an 80-mesh particle size and a 1 g/10 mL solid–liquid ratio. The kinetic parameters and models of the UMAE extraction process were also compared using first- and second-order models. The second-order kinetic equation with the lowest root mean square deviation and highest adjusted correlation coefficient proved to be more suitable for describing the extraction kinetics of pepper oleoresin. This study showed that UMAE is a fast, efficient, and cost-effective technique for the extraction of green pepper oleoresin.

Spray-Drying of Hydroxypropyl β-Cyclodextrin Microcapsules for Co-Encapsulation of Resveratrol and Piperine with Enhanced Solubility

The synergistic therapeutic benefits of resveratrol (RES) and piperine (PIP) have been proven for the treatment of various diseases. This study reports, for the first time, spray-drying of hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) microcapsules for combined delivery of resveratrol and piperine. Phase solubility studies indicated that there was a strong interaction between the active ingredients and HP-β-CD, and both active ingredients can bind stably to HP-β-CD. The results of FTIR, XRD, and DSC demonstrated that RES-PIP/HP-β-CD inclusion complexes were successfully formed, with the RES and PIP encapsulated into the hollow spherical cavity of HP-β-CD. The results of SEM showed that the spray-dried microcapsules displayed a smooth surface and uniform particle size. Upon the formation of the spray-dried microcapsules, both RES and PIP presented significantly enhanced solubility. The results of DPPH and ABTS+ scavenging activity assays showed that the spray-drying process did not adversely influence the antioxidant activity of the bioactives, and the addition of PIP increased the antioxidation performance of RES.

Application of starch-based nanoparticles and cyclodextrin for prebiotics delivery and controlled glucose release in the human gut: a review

Starches are a major constituent of staple foods and are the main source of energy in the human diet (55-70%). In the gastrointestinal tract, starches are hydrolyzed into glucose by α-amylase and α-glucosidase, which leads to a postprandial glucose elevation. High levels of blood glucose levels over sustained periods may promote type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. Increasing consumption of starchy foods with a lower glycemic index may therefore contribute to improved health. In this paper, the preparation and properties of several starch-based nanoparticles (SNPs) and cyclodextrins (CDs) derivatives are reviewed. In particular, we focus on the various mechanisms responsible for the ability of these edible nanomaterials to modulate glucose release and the gut microbiome in the gastrointestinal tract. The probiotic functions are achieved through encapsulation and protection of prebiotics or bioactive components in foods or the human gut. This review therefore provides valuable information that could be used to design functional foods for improving human health and wellbeing.

Optical properties of natural small molecules and their applications in imaging and nanomedicine

Natural small molecules derived from plants have fascinated scientists for centuries due to their practical applications in various fields, especially in nanomedicine. Some of the natural molecules were found to show intrinsic optical features such as fluorescence emission and photosensitization, which could be beneficial to provide spatial temporal information and help tracking the drugs in biological systems. Much efforts have been devoted to the investigation of optical properties and practical applications of natural molecules. In this review, optical properties of natural small molecules and their applications in fluorescence imaging, and theranostics will be summarized. First, we will introduce natural small molecules with different fluorescence emission, ranging from blue to near infrared emission. Second, imaging applications in biological samples will be covered. Third, we will discuss the applications of theranostic nanomedicines or drug delivering systems containing fluorescent natural molecules acting as imaging agents or photosensitizers. Finally, future perspectives in this field will be discussed.

Combinations of Piperine with Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin as a Multifunctional System

Piperine is an alkaloid that has extensive pharmacological activity and impacts other active substances bioavailability due to inhibition of CYP450 enzymes, stimulation of amino acid transporters and P-glycoprotein inhibition. Low solubility and the associated low bioavailability of piperine limit its potential. The combination of piperine with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) causes a significant increase in its solubility and, consequently, an increase in permeability through gastrointestinal tract membranes and the blood-brain barrier. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were used to characterize interactions between piperine and HP-β-CD. The observed physicochemical changes should be combined with the process of piperine and CD system formation. Importantly, with an increase in solubility and permeability of piperine as a result of interaction with CD, it was proven to maintain its biological activity concerning the antioxidant potential (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate assay), inhibition of enzymes essential for the inflammatory process and for neurodegenerative changes (hyaluronidase, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase).

Technological Applications of Natural Colorants in Food Systems: A Review

Natural colorants have emerged as an alternative to their synthetic counterparts due to an existing health concern of these later. Moreover, natural-food colorants are a renewable option providing health benefits and interesting technological and sensory attributes to the food systems containing them. Several sources of natural colorants have been explored aiming to deliver the required wide color range demanded by consumers. This review aimed to compare and discuss the technological applications of the main natural-food colorants into food system in the last six years, giving additional information about their extraction process. Although natural colorants are promising choices to replace synthetic ones, optimization of processing conditions, research on new sources, and new formulations to ensure stability are required to equate their properties to their synthetic counterparts.

Nanoencapsulation of Promising Bioactive Compounds to Improve Their Absorption, Stability, Functionality and the Appearance of the Final Food Products

The design of functional foods has grown recently as an answer to rising consumers' concerns and demands for natural, nutritional and healthy food products. Nanoencapsulation is a technique based on enclosing a bioactive compound (BAC) in liquid, solid or gaseous states within a matrix or inert material for preserving the coated substance (food or flavor molecules/ingredients). Nanoencapsulation can improve stability of BACs, improving the regulation of their release at physiologically active sites. Regarding materials for food and nutraceutical applications, the most used are carbohydrate-, protein- or lipid-based alternatives such as chitosan, peptide-chitosan and β-lactoglobulin nanoparticles (NPs) or emulsion biopolymer complexes. On the other hand, the main BACs used in foods for health promoting, including antioxidants, antimicrobials, vitamins, probiotics and prebiotics and others (minerals, enzymes and flavoring compounds). Nanotechnology can also play notable role in the development of programmable food, an original futuristic concept promising the consumers to obtain high quality food of desired nutritive and sensory characteristics.

Nanoencapsulation of essential oils and their bioactive constituents: A novel strategy to control mycotoxin contamination in food system

Spoilage of food by mycotoxigenic fungi poses a serious risk to food security throughout the world. In view of the negative effects of synthetic preservatives, essential oils (EOs) and their bioactive constituents are gaining momentum as suitable substitute to ensure food safety by controlling mycotoxins. However, despite their proven preservative potential against mycotoxins, the use of EOs/bioactive constituents in real food system is still restricted due to instability caused by abiotic factors and negative impact on organoleptic attributes after direct application. Nanoencapsulation in this regard could be a promising approach to address these problems, since the process can increase the stability of EOs/bioactive constituents, barricades their loss and considerably prevent their interaction with food matrices, thus preserving their original organoleptic qualities. The aim of this review is to provide wider and up-to-date overview on recent advances in nanoencapsulation of EOs/bioactive constituents with the objective to control mycotoxin contamination in food system. Further, the information on polymer characteristics, nanoencapsulation techniques, factors affecting the nanoencapsulation, applications of nanoencapsulated formulations, and characterization along with the study on their release kinetics and impacts on organoleptic attributes of food are discussed. Finally, the safety aspects of nanoencapsulated formulations for their safe utilization are also explored.

Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin as an effective carrier of curcumin - piperine nutraceutical system with improved enzyme inhibition properties

The nutraceutical system of curcumin-piperine in 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin was prepared by using the kneading technique. Interactions between the components of the system were defined by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Application of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin as a carrier-solubiliser improved solubility of the curcumin-piperine system, its permeability through biological membranes (gastrointestinal tract, blood-brain barrier) as well as the antioxidant, antimicrobial and enzyme inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase.

Formulation of Piperine Ternary Inclusion Complex Using β CD and HPMC: Physicochemical Characterization, Molecular Docking, and Antimicrobial Testing

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) on the complexation efficiency and dissolution of piperine (PPR) and β cyclodextrin (β CD) complex. The binary and ternary inclusion complexes were prepared using solvent evaporation and microwave irradiation methods. The samples were further evaluated for physicochemical evaluation, morphology, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities. The binary and ternary samples showed high stability constant (Ks) value and complexation efficiency (CE). The dissolution study results revealed marked enhancement in the release of the binary inclusion complex and ternary inclusion complex compared to pure PPR. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and molecular docking results confirm the complex formation. X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) data revealed modification in the structure of PPR. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging and antimicrobial results showed enhanced activity in the PPR complex in comparison to pure PPR. In conclusion, a remarkable enhancement in dissolution, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were attained due to marked improvement in solubility through complexation of PPR with HPMC/β CD.

Degree of crosslinking in β-cyclodextrin-based nanosponges and their effect on piperine encapsulation

Piperine (PIP) is an alkaloid which is potent as a therapeutic agent. However, its applications are restricted by its poor water solubility. Nanosponges (NS) derived from polymers are versatile carriers for poor water-soluble substances. The aim of this work was to synthesize β-cyclodextrin NS, by microwave-assisted fusion, for the encapsulation of PIP. Different formulations of NS were synthesized by varying the molar ratio of β-cyclodextrin:diphenyl carbonate (β-CD:DPC; 1:2, 1:6 and 1:10). NS specimens derived from 1:2, 1:6 and 1:10 β-CD:DPC molar ratios exhibited degree of substitution values of 0.345, 0.629 and 0.878, respectively. The crystallinity of NS was enhanced by increasing diphenyl carbonate concentration. A high degree of crosslinking in the NS increased the loading efficiency due to increased surface area available for bioactive inclusion. This study demonstrated the feasibility of synthesizing NS derived from β-cyclodextrin of high crystallinity for the encapsulation of PIP at high loading capacity.

β-Cyclodextrin/Isopentyl Caffeate Inclusion Complex: Synthesis, Characterization and Antileishmanial Activity

Isopentyl caffeate (ICaf) is a bioactive ester widely distributed in nature. Our patented work has shown promising results of this molecule against Leishmania. However, ICaf shows poor solubility, which limits its usage in clinical settings. In this work, we have proposed the development of an inclusion complex of ICaf in β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), with the aim to improve the drug solubility, and thus, its bioavailability. The inclusion complex (ICaf:β-CD) was developed applying three distinct methods, i.e., physical mixture (PM), kneading (KN) or co-evaporation (CO) in different molar proportions (0.25:1, 1:1 and 2:1). Characterization of the complexes was carried out by thermal analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and molecular docking. The ICaf:β-CD complex in a molar ratio of 1:1 obtained by CO showed the best complexation and, therefore, was selected for further analysis. Solubility assay showed a marked improvement in the ICaf:β-CD (CO, 1:1) solubility profile when compared to the pure ICaf compound. Cell proliferation assay using ICaf:β-CD complex showed an IC50 of 3.8 and 2.7 µg/mL against L. amazonesis and L. chagasi promastigotes, respectively. These results demonstrate the great potential of the inclusion complex to improve the treatment options for visceral and cutaneous leishmaniases.

Release Characteristics of an Essential Oil Component Encapsulated with Cyclodextrin Shell Matrices

BACKGROUND

Essential oils are poor aqueous solubility and high volatility compounds. The encapsulation of essential oils with Cyclodextrins (CDs) can protect them from adverse environmental conditions and improve their stability. Therefore, increasing the functional capabilities of essential oils when they were used as additives in pharmaceutical and food systems. Additionally, the release of active compounds is an important issue. However, there were few studies about the effect of different CDs on the release of drugs after encapsulation. Therefore, the information on the study of release models is considerably limited.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to (i) characterize the physico-chemical properties and release behavior of myrcene encapsulated in the four different shell matrices of α-CD, β-CD, γ-CD and 2-hydroxypropyl-β- cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD), which were selected from the perspective of stability, and (ii) determine the release mechanism of myrcene in Inclusion Complexes (ICs).

METHODS

ICs of myrcene and four CDs were prepared by freeze-drying. The physico-chemical properties of ICs were fully characterized by laser diffraction particle size analyzer, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC). The release behaviors of ICs at 50, 60, 70 and 80 °C were determined and described by zeroorder or first-order kinetics with the Henderson-Pabis, Peppas, Avrami and Page mathematical models. Moreover, the possible binding modes of ICs were identified with molecular modelling technique.

RESULTS

Firstly, the structure of Particle Size Distribution (PSD), FT-IR, DSC and SEM showed that (i) CDs could effectively encapsulate the myrcene molecules, and (ii) the release kinetics were well simulated by Avrami and Page models. Secondly, the release rates of the ICs experienced an unsteady state in the early stage, and gradually became almost constants period after 20 hours. Except that the release of myrcene in γ-CD/myrcene belonged to the first-order kinetic, the release models of the remaining three ICs belonged to diffusion mode. Thirdly, the calculated binding energies of the optimized structures for α-CD/myrcene, β-CD/myrcene, γ-CD/myrcene, and HP-β-CD/myrcene ICs were -4.28, -3.82, -4.04, and -3.72 kcal/mol, respectively. Finally, the encapsulation of myrcene with α-CD and β-CD was preferable according to the stability and release characteristics.

CONCLUSION

The encapsulation of myrcene was profoundly affected by the type of CDs, and the stability could be improved by complexation with suitable CDs. The binding behavior between guest and CD molecules, and the release profile of the guest molecules could be effectively explained by the kinetics parameters and molecular modelling. This study can provide an effective basis and guide for screening suitable shell matrices.

Improved Solubility and Dissolution Rates in Novel Multicomponent Crystals of Piperine with Succinic Acid

The objectives of this study were to prepare and characterize a novel piperine–succinic acid multicomponent crystal phase and to evaluate the improvement in the solubility and dissolution rate of piperine when prepared in the multicomponent crystal formation. The solid-state characterization of the novel multicomponent crystal was performed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Solubility and dissolution rate profiles were evaluated in distilled water. The physical stability was evaluated under high relative humidity (75% and 100% RH). The determination of the single crystal X-ray diffraction structure revealed that this novel multicomponent crystal was a cocrystalline phase of piperine–succinic acid (2:1 molar ratio). The differential scanning calorimetry thermogram of the cocrystal showed a single and sharp endothermic peak at 110.49 °C. The cocrystal resulted in greater solubility and a faster dissolution rate of piperine than intact piperine. This improvement was a result of the formation of a channel structure in the cocrystal. In addition, the cocrystal was stable under a humid condition.

Piperine fast disintegrating tablets comprising sustained-release matrix pellets with enhanced bioavailability: formulation, in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Piperine (Pip) has been widely studied for its multiple activities such as antidepressant, anti-epileptic, and so forth. However, the poor water solubility coupled with low bioavailability may inevitably hinder the application of Pip in the clinical setting. In this study, a formulation strategy was proposed to spontaneously resolve the low bioavailability and dose dividing issue of Pip. The matrix pellets (Pip-SR-pellets) consisting of Pip solid dispersion (Pip-SD) and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose-K100 were developed to achieve an increased and sustained release profile in vitro. The Pip-SR-pellets were compacted into fast disintegrating tablets (FDTs) with a blend of excipients comprising lactose, MCC, LS-HPC, and CMS-Na. The Pip-SD was characterized by solubility study and XRD. The evaluation of the cross-sectional morphology of the Pip-FDTs via scanning electron microscope proved that Pip-SR-pellets maintained its structural integrity during compression and were uniformly distributed in the Pip-FDTs. The release profile of Pip-SR-pellets was highly consistent with the Pip-FDTs. In vivo pharmacokinetics study demonstrated that the relative bioavailability of Pip-SR-pellets was approximately 2.70-fold higher than that of the pure drug, and 1.62-fold compared with that of Pip-SD. This work therefore showed a potential industrialized method could be applied to formulate poorly water-soluble drug that has dose-dividing requirement.

Understanding the intrinsic fluorescence of piperine in microheterogeneous media: partitioning and loading studies

Piperine, an ingredient of black pepper, is widely used in pharmaceutical applications.

Core-Shell Biopolymer Nanoparticles for Co-Delivery of Curcumin and Piperine: Sequential Electrostatic Deposition of Hyaluronic Acid and Chitosan Shells on the Zein Core

Curcumin and piperine are natural nutraceuticals that exhibit synergistic biological activities, but have different polarities, which can make their encapsulation within a single delivery system challenging. In this study, the two bioactive components were encapsulated within core-shell nanoparticles formed by a combination of antisolvent precipitation and layer-by-layer deposition. Initially, strongly hydrophobic curcumin (log P = 4.12) was embedded in the hydrophobic core of zein-hyaluronic acid nanoparticles using the antisolvent precipitation method. Then, the weakly hydrophobic piperine (log P = 2.78) was adsorbed to the outer biopolymer shell of these nanoparticles. Finally, the nutraceutical-loaded particles were coated with a layer of chitosan by the electrostatic deposition method. The surface charge and coating thickness depended on the number of adsorbed layers and the nature of the outer layer, being negative for hyaluronic acid and positive for chitosan. Low-, medium-, and high-molecular weight chitosan were utilized to modify the surface properties. Chitosan with a low-molecular weight was selected to fabricate the core-shell nanoparticles because it produced small highly charged cationic particles (d = 599 nm; ζ = +38.1 mV). The encapsulation efficiency and loading capacities were 90.4 and 5.7% for curcumin, and 86.4 and 5.4% for piperine, respectively. The core-shell nanoparticles protected the nutraceuticals from chemical degradation during light exposure, thermal processing, and storage for 2 months. Moreover, the nanoparticles were able to control the release of the bioactive components in simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Our results should facilitate the development of more effective nanodelivery systems for nutraceuticals that exhibit synergistic activities, but have different molecular characteristics.