Novel β-Cyclodextrin and Catnip Essential Oil Inclusion Complex and Its Tick Repellent Properties

Inclusion complexes of novel formyl chromone Schiff bases with β-Cyclodextrin: Synthesis, characterization, DNA binding studies and in-vitro release study

The present study involved the synthesis of five novel Schiff bases (SB1-SB5) of formyl chromone and their inclusion complexes with β-cyclodextrin through kneading approach to enhance the solubility and stability of SBs. Characterization was conducted using FTIR, NMR, SEM, TEM, p-XRD, and Mass Spectrometry. UV fluorescence and pH stability studies confirmed the formation of the inclusion complex. Structural validation of complexes was conducted via molecular docking (PDB ID: 1BFN) and 50 ns MD simulation study. DFT studies were performed on SBs using B3LYP/6-31 + G(d,p) basis set. All SBs exhibited favorable ADME properties and high binding interactions were observed in molecular docking with ctDNA (PDB Id: 1BNA). Further, in-vitro UV absorption and fluorescence experiments demonstrated strong ctDNA interactions for all Schiff bases, with binding constants in the order of 105 M-1, indicating groove binding mode. Among the SBs, SB4 exhibited the highest affinity for DNA grooves, with a binding constant (Kb) of 1.7 × 106 M-1. However, the SB4/β-Cyd inclusion complex also interacted with DNA but with low binding constants compared to SB4. An in-vitro release study of SB4/β-Cyd, revealed 78.92 % dissolution of the inclusion complex, highlighting its potential for enhanced solubility and stability in biological systems.

Effects of lavender essential oil inhalation aromatherapy on depression and sleep quality in stroke patients: A single-blind randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Post-stroke depression (PSD) has major implications for rehabilitation, motor recovery, activities of daily living, social and interpersonal functioning, and mortality. In view of the side effects of antidepressants, aromatherapy, a widely used non-pharmacological therapy, has received growing attention in recent years for its benefits of reduced complications, accessibility, and effectiveness. This study was designed to assess the effects of inhalation aromatherapy with lavender essential oil on depression and sleep quality in patients with PSD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty patients with PSD were enrolled and randomized into experimental and placebo groups. Experimental-group patients inhaled microencapsulated lavender essential oil every night at bedtime over a period of 4 weeks. A nonwoven bag containing 2.3 g of microcapsules with about 1.5 g of lavender essential oil was placed on or under the patient's pillow, depending on the patient's scent sensitivity. Placebo-group patients used the empty nonwoven bags for the same period as the experimental group. The 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17), the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to measure outcomes.

RESULTS

The HAMD-17 score, SDS score, and PSQI score showed statistically significant differences between both groups before and after intervention (P ≤ 0.01). The improvement in the experimental group was more marked than in the placebo group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Lavender essential oil inhalation aromatherapy may help reduce depression and improve sleep quality in patients with PSD.

Preparation of aromatic β-cyclodextrin nano/microcapsules and corresponding aromatic textiles: A review

Fragrance finishing of textiles is receiving substantial interest, with aromatherapy being one of the most popular aspects of personal health care. However, the longevity of aroma on textiles and presence after subsequent launderings are major concerns for aromatic textiles directly loaded with essential oils. These drawbacks can be weakened by incorporating essential oil-complexed β-cyclodextrins (β-CDs) onto various textiles. This article reviews various preparation methods of aromatic β-cyclodextrin nano/microcapsules, as well as a wide variety of methods for the preparation of aromatic textiles based on them before and after forming, proposing future trends in preparation processes. The review also covers the complexation of β-CDs with essential oils, and the application of aromatic textiles based on β-CD nano/microcapsules. Systematic research on the preparation of aromatic textiles facilitates the realization of green and simple industrialized large-scale production, providing needed application potential in the fields of various functional materials.

Encapsulation of Nepeta hormozganica and Nepeta dschuprensis essential oils in shrimp chitosan NPs: Enhanced antifungal activity

This study investigated the encapsulation of Nepeta hormozganica (NHEO) and Nepeta Dschuprensis (NDEO) essential oils into chitosan nanoparticles (CSN) via a simple ionic gelation method with tripolyphosphate (TPP). Chitosan (CS) is prepared by demineralizing, deproteinizing, and deacetylating shrimp shells waste in high yield (70.2 %). SEM, TEM, FT-IR, TGA, and XRD techniques were employed to characterize the encapsulated essential oils ((NHEO-CSN) and (NDEO-CSN)). The prepared EOs-CSN and CSN are found with particle sizes of 100-150 nm and 400-500 nm, respectively, and regular distribution. The encapsulation efficiency of encapsulated Nepeta hormozganica and Dschuprensis essential oils were found to be 73.64 % and 75.91 %, respectively. The synthesized nanocapsules were evaluated for antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporium, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Pythium aphanidermatum, Alternaria alternata, Rhizactonia Solani, and Botrytis cinerea. Antifungal studies show that encapsulated essential oils increased antifungal efficiency by up to 100 %.

Effect of the combination of DEET and flupyradifurone on the tick Ixodes ricinus: Repellency bioassay and pharmacological characterization using microtransplantation of synganglion membranes

Ticks are vectors of many human and animal pathogens, and represent a major threat to public health. In recent years, an increase in tick-borne diseases has been observed, and new strategies are therefore needed in order to control tick numbers and reduce human tick bites. In the present study, we adapted the previous tick repellency bioassay based on the exploration behavior of the tick, using the ToxTrac software and video-tracking, to compare the repellent effect of two compounds on the tick Ixodes ricinus: N,N-diethyl-methyl-m-toluamide (DEET), and butenolide, flupyradifurone (FLU). We found that when applied alone, 10% DEET or FLU have no/or low repellency effect. But, the combination of both 10% DEET and FLU demonstrated a significant repellency effect against I. ricinus, similar to the repellency of 20% DEET. Using membrane microtransplantation, we evaluated the effect of DEET and FLU on native acetylcholine receptors expressed on the tick synganglion. We found that DEET has no effect on acetylcholine-evoked currents, but significantly reduced nicotine-induced current amplitudes. FLU induced an ionic current but was not able to reduce acetylcholine or nicotine evoked currents. The combination of both DEET and FLU strongly reduced nicotine-evoked currents. Finally, we demonstrated that our recording device for repellency, as well as the use of membrane microtransplantation, could be used as methods to study the mode of action of active compounds on ticks.

Preparation, Optimization, and Characterization of Inclusion Complexes of Cinnamomum longepaniculatum Essential Oil in β-Cyclodextrin

Cinnamomum longepaniculatum essential oil (CLEO) possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. However, CLEO shows volatilization and poor solubility, which limits its application field. In this research, inclusion complexes of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) with CLEO were produced, and its physicochemical properties were characterized. Response surface methodology was used to obtain optimum preparation conditions. A statistical model was generated to define the interactions among the selected variables. Results show that the optimal conditions were an H2O/β-CD ratio of 9.6:1 and a β-CD/CLEO ratio of 8:1, with the stirring temperature of 20 °C for the maximal encapsulation efficiency values. The physicochemical properties of CLEO/β-CD inclusion complexes (CLEO/β-CD-IC) were investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that correlative characteristic bands of CLEO disappeared in the inclusion complex. X-ray diffraction presented different sharp peaks at the diffraction angle of CLEO/β-CD-IC. The thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated the thermal stability of CLEO was enhanced after encapsulation. Tiny aggregates with a smaller size of CLEO/β-CD-IC particles were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The comparison of β-CD, CLEO, and physical mixtures with CLEO/β-CD-IC confirmed the formation of inclusion complexes.