Babassu Nanoemulsions Have Physical and Chemical Stability

Bioactive compounds and benefits of by-products of Amazon babassu oil production: potential for dietary supplement, biomedical and food applications

Babassu coconut (Attalea speciosa syn. Orbignya phalerata) contains an oil-rich nut and is primarily found in South America's Amazon region. Future market researchers predict an increase in the babassu oil market from USD 227.7 million in 2022 to USD 347.0 million by 2032, and the yield of babassu oil from babassu-processed waste could reach 90%. Of these, mesocarp flour is an underrated by-product used only for animal feed purposes by local producers. This comprehensive review focuses on advances in knowledge and understanding of phytochemicals from babassu oil by-products considering the mechanisms of action - covering antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, immunomodulatory, and anticancer effects. Babassu coconut fruit contains free fatty acids, (poly)phenols, phytosterols, and triterpenes. Pytochemicals, antiparasitic and antibacterial activities of babassu mesocarp flour were shown, but fungi and viruses can get more attention. Beyond its antioxidant capacity, babassu mesocarp flour showed potential as a dietary food supplement. Aqueous suspensions of mesocarp flour with a higher preference for cancer cells than normal cells and an antithrombotic effect were also identified, probably related to the antioxidant capacity of its secondary metabolites. Mesocarp flour, a starch-rich fraction, is promising for application as biodegradable packaging to improve the oxidative stability of foods. Finally, low-added value fractions can be considered bio-waste/co-products, and their phytochemicals may attract interest for applications in medicine and nutrition. Toxicological concerns, trends, and gaps are discussed for the future of foods and related sciences.

Folate-conjugated near-infrared fluorescent perfluorocarbon nanoemulsions as theranostics for activated macrophage COX-2 inhibition

Activated macrophages play a critical role in the orchestration of inflammation and inflammatory pain in several chronic diseases. We present here the first perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion (PFC NE) that is designed to preferentially target activated macrophages and can deliver up to three payloads (two fluorescent dyes and a COX-2 inhibitor). Folate receptors are overexpressed on activated macrophages. Therefore, we introduced a folate-PEG-cholesterol conjugate into the formulation. The incorporation of folate conjugate did not require changes in processing parameters and did not change the droplet size or fluorescent properties of the PFC NE. The uptake of folate-conjugated PFC NE was higher in activated macrophages than in resting macrophages. Flow cytometry showed that the uptake of folate-conjugated PFC NE occurred by both phagocytosis and receptor-mediated endocytosis. Furthermore, folate-conjugated PFC NE inhibited the release of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) more effectively than nonmodified PFC NE, while drug loading and COX-2 inhibition were comparable. The PFC NEs reported here were successfully produced on multiple scales, from 25 to 200 mL, and by using two distinct processors (microfluidizers: M110S and LM20). Therefore, folate-conjugated PFC NEs are viable anti-inflammatory theranostic nanosystems for macrophage drug delivery and imaging.

Polymeric nanoparticles containing babassu oil: a proposed drug delivery system for controlled release of hydrophilic compounds

Different drug delivery systems are prepared on the nanoscale to improve performance in drug formulations, such as nanoparticles or nanoemulsions. Polymeric nanoparticles have been used to encapsulate drugs for several applications because of some characteristics of these carriers to control drug delivery, transport molecules to a specific tissue, protect the drugs, and increase drug bioavailability. When using nanocapsules, an essential parameter for encapsulating different hydrophilic or lipophilic molecules is the characteristics of the core. Babassu oil (BBS) is a natural product from Brazil, composed majoritary of short-chain saturated fatty acids. BBS has an elevated hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB), which may promote interaction of the oil with hydrophilic drugs. In this study, we developed and characterized particles containing babassu oil, solely or combined with sorbitan monostearate (Span® 60) or medium chain triglycerides (MCT) in the core to test different HLB and evaluated the encapsulation of a model hydrophilic molecule. Different techniques were used to characterize all formulations in terms of size and distribution, and in vitro drug release by dialysis technique was performed. The BBS was also characterized and presented 46,05 ± 1,11% and 15,38 ± 0,06 of lauric and myristic acid, respectively; saponification index of 248.87 ± 0.64mg of KOH per gram of BBS, and no oxidation of the oil was indicated by means of peroxide index. Evaporation of solvent carried in the room or reduced pressure influenced the particles' size; nevertheless, all had a z-average smaller than 220nm. Nanoparticles with a ratio of among aqueous phase and organic phase of 2.8 were considered adequate to encapsulate diclofenac sodium. The particle size/zeta potential was 189.83 ± 7.86nm / -10.39 ± 2.52mV, 156.80 ± 4.77nm / -9.27 ± 4.61mV, and 168.87 ± 5.22nm / -12.98 ± 4.66mV to nanoparticles prepared with BBS + MCT, BBS, and BBS + Span® 60, respectively. All formulations exhibited an amount of drug content close to the theoretical amount (1.0mgmL^-1), and no difference was observed in the release profile among the three cores. Formulation containing only babassu oil in the core displayed 66.78 ± 15.62% of encapsulation efficiency to diclofenac sodium, the highest value among all formulations tested. Results demonstrate that the innovative nanoparticles containing BBS promote the encapsulation of a model hydrophilic molecule, and other components can be evaluated to change the core's hydrophilicity and encapsulation of molecules.

Emerging Lipids from Arecaceae Palm Fruits in Brazil

Arecaceae palm tree fruits (APTFs) with pulp or kernel rich in oil are widely distributed in six Brazilian biomes. APTFs represent a great potential for the sustainable exploitation of products with high added value, but few literature studies have reported their properties and industrial applications. The lack of information leads to underutilization, low consumption, commercialization, and processing of these fruit species. This review presents and discusses the occurrence of 13 APTFs and the composition, physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds, and potential applications of their 25 oils and fats. The reported studies showed that the species present different lipid profiles. Multivariate analysis based on principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) indicated a correlation between the composition of pulp and kernel oils. Myristic, caprylic, capric, and lauric acids are the main saturated fatty acids, while oleic acid is the main unsaturated. Carotenoids and phenolic compounds are the main bioactive compounds in APTFs, contributing to their high oxidative stability. The APTFs oils have a potential for use as foods and ingredients in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and biofuel industries. However, more studies are still necessary to better understand and exploit these species.

Physicochemical and thermal characterization of babassu oils (Orbignya phalerata Mart.) obtained by different extraction methods

Babassu oil is a raw material widely used in the pharmaceutical and biofuels industry. However, its physical-chemical and thermal characteristics are not widely described in the literature. This article describes these characteristics and, thus, seeks to increase the application of this raw material in the food industry. In this work, two different types of babassu oils, extra-virgin and virgin, were studied. The physicochemical characteristics, lipid profile, composition of the triacylglycerol and thermal properties of both oils were determined. Moreover, the crystallization and melting behavior was determined and the FTIR-ATR spectra of the oils acquired. The results show that the main fatty acids present are medium-chain and the type of extraction modifies the amounts of fatty acids present in each type of oil. Despite this, its physical-chemical characteristics and thermal properties are the same, except color and thermal stability, where extra-virgin oil is lighter and more stable than virgin babassu oil.

Actions of Cannabis sativa L. fixed oil and nano-emulsion on venom-induced inflammation of Bothrops moojeni snake in rats

BACKGROUND

Bothrops moojeni snake venom (VBm) has toxins that cause pronounced tissue damage and exacerbated inflammatory reaction. Cannabis sativa L. is a plant species that produces an oil (CSO) rich in unsaturated fatty acids. Nano-emulsions have several advantages, such as better stability and higher penetrating power in membranes. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of a nano-emulsion based on this herbal derivative (NCS) against VBm-induced inflammation in Wistar rats.

METHODS

The CSO and NCS were submitted to physicochemical characterization. The inflammatory process was induced by the VBm (0.10 mg/kg) as follows: rat paw edema, peritonitis, analysis of leukocyte infiltrate in gastrocnemius muscle of rats and formation of granulomatous tissue.

RESULTS

No significant changes were observed when the NCS was submitted to the centrifugation and thermal stress tests. There was no phase separation, changes in density (0.978 ± 0.01 g/cm³) and viscosity (0.889 ± 0.15). The droplet diameter ranged from 119.7 ± 065 to 129.3 ± 0.15 nm and the polydispersity index ranged from 0.22 ± 0.008 to 0.23 ± 0.011. The results showed that treatments with CSO (200 and 400 mg/kg) and NCS (100 mg/kg) were able to decrease significantly (p < 0.001) the formation of edema and granulomatous tissue. The CSO and NCS groups significantly attenuated (p < 0.001) the recruitment of inflammatory cells in the tests for peritonitis and leukocyte infiltrate. The histopathological analysis of the gastrocnemius muscle showed a reduction in tissue damage caused by VBm.

CONCLUSION

The results obtained in this study showed anti-inflammatory activity of the CSO which may be due to a high UFA content. The nanosizing, as evidenced by the incorporation of the CSO in the NCS improved the effect and opens the perspective for the obtainment of a nanomedicine in which a kinetic stable phytotherapic can be used at low doses.

Diethyldithiocarbamate loaded in beeswax-copaiba oil nanoparticles obtained by solventless double emulsion technique promote promastigote death in vitro

Leishmaniasis is considered a neglected tropical disease that represents a Public Health problem due to its high incidence. In the search of new alternatives for Leishmaniasis treatment diethyldithiocarbamate (DETC) has shown an excellent leishmanicidal activity and the incorporation into drug carrier systems, such as solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), is very promising. In the present work DETC loaded in beeswax nanoparticles containing copaiba oil were obtained by the double emulsion/melt technique. The nanoparticles were characterized and leishmanicidal activity against L. amazonensis promastigotes forms and cytotoxicity in murine macrophages were evaluated. SLNs presented size below 200 nm, spherical morphology, negative charge surface, high encapsulation efficiency, above 80%, and excellent stability. Moreover, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses were performed to evaluate the chemical structure and possible interactions between DETC and SLNs. SLNs provided a protection for DETC, decreasing its cytotoxic effects in macrophages, which led to an improvement in the selectivity against the parasites, which almost doubled from free DETC (11.4) to DETC incorporated in SLNs (18.2). These results demonstrated that SLNs had a direct effect on L. amazonensis promastigotes without affect the viability of macrophage cell, can be a promising alternative therapy for the cutaneous treatment of L. amazonensis.

Pomegranate seed oil nanoemulsions with selective antiglioma activity: optimization and evaluation of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative effects on mononuclear cells

CONTEXT

Glioma is a malignant brain tumor with rapid proliferation, infiltrative growth, poor prognosis and it is chemoresistent. Pomegranate seed oil (PSO) has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties. This study showed the optimization of PSO nanoemulsions (NEs) as an alternative for glioma treatment.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to evaluate PSO NEs cytotoxicity on human blood cells and antiglioma effects against C6 cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

NEs were prepared by the spontaneous emulsification method, using PSO at 1.5 and 3.0%, and were evaluated regarding their physical stability and antioxidant activity. Toxicity evaluations in human blood cells were performed in terms of cell viability, genotoxicity, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, catalase activity and hemolysis at 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mg/mL PSO, after a 72-h incubation period. In vitro antitumor effect was determined against glioma cells after 24 and 48 h, and astrocytes were used as a non-transformed cell model.

RESULTS

Formulations presented droplet size below 250 nm, low polydispersity index, negative zeta potential and pH in the acid range. NEs and PSO had scavenging capacity around 30% and promoted a proliferative effect in mononuclear cells, increasing about 50% cell viability. No genotoxic and oxidative damage was observed in lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation and catalase activity evaluations for NEs. Hemolysis study showed a hemolytic effect at high concentrations. Moreover, formulations reduced only tumor cell viability to 47%, approximately.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Formulations are adequate and safe for intravenous administration. Besides, in vitro antitumor activity indicates that NEs are promising for glioma treatment.