Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Anticancer Activity of Ultrasonic Nanoemulsion of Cinnamomum Cassia L. Essential Oil

Addressing overlooked design considerations for nanoemulsions

Despite progress in genetic and molecular research, which has opened up a myriad of targeted therapeutic possibilities, the compromised solubility and absorption profile of therapeutic entities restrict their passage across lipid barriers compromising efficacy. Consequently, nanoemulsions accrued significance as futuristic, safe, and effective lipid-based drug delivery systems due to their inherent array of physicochemical properties and provide exquisite bioavailability, reduced toxicity, and improved solubility of hydrophobic entities based on size and surface area. However, a pronounced gap exists in understanding and addressing challenges that arise during design and development of nanoemulsions. In this context, we have attempted to reconsider overlooked aspects of nanoemulsion design, offering insight into its commercial viability.

Isolation of Bioactive Compounds (Carotenoids, Tocopherols, and Tocotrienols) from Calendula Officinalis L., and Their Interaction with Proteins and Oils in Nanoemulsion Formulation

Calendula officinalis L. has numerous health-promoting properties due to the presence of a large number of lipophilic compounds. Their effective delivery to the body requires the use of an appropriate technique such as emulsification. So, the main purpose of this study was to understand how the profile of lipophilic compounds from pot marigold and the pro-health potential are shaped by different types of protein, oil, and drying techniques in o/w nanoemulsion. To obtain this, the profiles of carotenoid compounds and tocols were measured. Additionally, antioxidant potential and the ability to inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase were measured. Pea protein emulsion exhibited a higher final content of carotenoid compounds (23.72-39.74 mg/100 g), whereas those with whey protein had stronger α-amylase inhibition (487.70 mg/mL). The predominant compounds in the studied nanoemulsions were β-carotene (between 19% and 40%), followed by α-tocopherol/γ-tocopherol. The type of proteins shaped the health-promoting properties and determined the content of health-promoting compounds.

Antidiabetic and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Cinnamomum cassia Oil in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus presents a great diversity of treatments that cause adverse effects; therefore, plants are a source of compounds that may have fewer adverse effects; Cinnamomum cassia (C. cassia) has compounds with potential antidiabetic activity. The objective was to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of C. cassia oil (CCO) and its impact on oxidative stress in Wistar rats. Five groups were evaluated: (1) sham (SH), (2) 300 mg/kg CCO (CCO), (3) diabetic (D) induced with alloxan, (4) D + 300 mg/kg of CCO (D + CCO), and (5) D + 500 mg/kg of metformin (D + MET); all were treated for 5 days. CCO did not show alteration in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) vs. SH. D + CCO vs. D significantly reduced glucose (333 ± 109 vs. 458 ± 81 mg/dL), ALT (66 ± 15 vs. 160 ± 54 U/L), AST (119 ± 26 vs. 243 ± 104 U/L), and blood urea nitrogen (18.8 ± 2.3 vs. 29.2 ± 6.9 mg/dL). No significant changes were observed in D + CCO vs. D in malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), whereas a significant reduction in MDA and GSH was achieved in D + MET, with an increase in SOD. There was a reduction in Rela and Gpx in D + CCO and D + MET vs. D. CCO has antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects and reduces ALT, AST, and BUN levels.

Essential oil and its nanoemulsion of Eucalyptus cladocalyx: chemical characterization, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities

Formulating a nanoemulsion (NE) of essential oil (EO) could enhance its efficiency while requiring lower concentrations. Eucalyptus cladocalyx F. Muell EO was rich in monoterpenes hydrocarbons. NE was prepared and the effect of surfactant (Tween 20, 40 and 80) and shearing time were investigated. The results showed that the best NE was formed using Tween 80 after 25 min of emulsification. Small droplet size (40 nm), low polydispersity index PDI (0.49), and stable zeta potential highlighted the excellent NE stability which was tested under storage conditions for 4 months. The results showed that the antioxidant and anticancer activities of NE were enhanced compared to free EO. Furthermore, NE and EO exhibited high anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting nitric oxide (NO), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factors alpha (TNF-α) production in liposaccharides (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. In conclusion, a stable Eucalyptus cladocalyx-NE was produced, with improved biological activities.

Formulation of nanoemulsion parijoto fruit extract (Medinilla Speciosa) with variation of tweens stabilizers

Nanotechnology has substantial potential for development due to its ability to modify surface characteristics and particle size, facilitating enhanced absorption of functional food compounds and controlled release of active substances to mitigate adverse effects. Nanoemulsion, a stable colloidal system formed by blending oil, emulsifier, and water, was identified as nanotechnology with promising applications. However, investigations into the impact of surfactants on characteristic nanoemulsions need to be more varied. This research gap necessitated further exploration in the advancement of nanotechnology-based foods. The parijoto fruit (Medinilla speciosa), an indigenous plant species in Indonesia, has yet to undergo extensive scrutiny for its potential use as a functional and nutraceutical food. Anthocyanins, a principal compound in the parijoto fruit, had exhibited efficacy in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease diabetes, demonstrating anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of nanoemulsion formulations derived from parijoto fruit extract and to evaluate an optimum condition with various tween surfactants. The findings from this investigation could furnish valuable insights for the further advancement of anthocyanin nanoemulsions from parijoto fruit extract. The results comprised the characterization of nanoemulsion particle size, polydispersity index, ζ-potential, conductivity, pH, and viscosity. Through mathematical modeling and statistical methods, RSM optimizes nanoemulsion by examining the relationships and interactions between independent and response variables. Furthermore, the characterization of nanoemulsion encompassed ζ-potential, polydispersity, particle size, conductivity, pH, and viscosity. Elevated surfactant concentrations resulted in diminished particle sizes and more uniform size distribution, albeit reaching a plateau where surfactant aggregation and micelle formation ensued. Increased concentrations of surfactant type, concentration, and parijoto extract impacted the physical characteristics of nanoparticle size and polydispersity. The optimal process conditions for nanoemulsion consisting of the type of Tween used are Tween 80, Tween concentration of 12%, and parijoto fruit extract concentration of 7.5%, yielding a desirability value of 0.74, categorizing it as moderate.

Multiplicative Effects of Essential Oils and Other Active Components on Skin Tissue and Skin Cancers

Naturally derived essential oils and their active components are known to possess various properties, ranging from anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-cancer activities. Numerous types of essential oils and active components have been discovered, and their permissive roles have been addressed in various fields. In this comprehensive review, we focused on the roles of essential oils and active components in skin diseases and cancers as discovered over the past three decades. In particular, we opted to highlight the effectiveness of essential oils and their active components in developing strategies against various skin diseases and skin cancers and to describe the effects of the identified essential-oil-derived major components from physiological and pathological perspectives. Overall, this review provides a basis for the development of novel therapies for skin diseases and cancers, especially melanoma.

Green Synthesis of Blumea balsamifera Oil Nanoemulsions Stabilized by Natural Emulsifiers and Its Effect on Wound Healing

In this study, we developed a green and multifunctional bioactive nanoemulsion (BBG-NEs) of Blumea balsamifera oil using Bletilla striata polysaccharide (BSP) and glycyrrhizic acid (GA) as natural emulsifiers. The process parameters were optimized using particle size, PDI, and zeta potential as evaluation parameters. The physicochemical properties, stability, transdermal properties, and bioactivities of the BBG-NEs under optimal operating conditions were investigated. Finally, network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to elucidate the potential molecular mechanism underlying its wound-healing properties. After parameter optimization, BBG-NEs exhibited excellent stability and demonstrated favorable in vitro transdermal properties. Furthermore, it displayed enhanced antioxidant and wound-healing effects. SD rats wound-healing experiments demonstrated improved scab formation and accelerated healing in the BBG-NE treatment relative to BBO and emulsifier groups. Pharmacological network analyses showed that AKT1, CXCL8, and EGFR may be key targets of BBG-NEs in wound repair. The results of a scratch assay and Western blotting assay also demonstrated that BBG-NEs could effectively promote cell migration and inhibit inflammatory responses. These results indicate the potential of the developed BBG-NEs for antioxidant and skin wound applications, expanding the utility of natural emulsifiers. Meanwhile, this study provided a preliminary explanation of the potential mechanism of BBG-NEs to promote wound healing through network pharmacology and molecular docking, which provided a basis for the mechanistic study of green multifunctional nanoemulsions.

Elucidating the anti-cancer potential of Cinnamomum tamala essential oil against non-small cell lung cancer: A multifaceted approach involving GC-MS profiling, network pharmacology, and molecular dynamics simulations

Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.) T.Nees & Eberm., or Indian Bay Leaf, is a well-known traditional ayurvedic medicine used to treat various ailments. However, the molecular mechanism of action of Cinnamomum tamala essential oil (CTEO) against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains elusive. The present study aims to decipher the molecular targets and mechanism of CTEO in treating NSCLC. GC-MS analysis detected 49 constituents; 44 successfully passed the drug-likeness screening and were identified as active compounds. A total of 3961 CTEO targets and 4588 anti-NSCLC-related targets were acquired. JUN, P53, IL6, MAPK3, HIF1A, and CASP3 were determined as hub genes, while cinnamaldehyde, ethyl cinnamate and acetophenone were identified as core compounds. Enrichment analysis revealed that targets were mainly involved in apoptosis, TNF, IL17, pathways in cancer and MAPK signalling pathways. mRNA expression, pathological stage, survival analysis, immune infiltrate correlation and genetic alteration analysis of the core hub genes were carried out. Kaplan-Meier overall survival (OS) curve revealed that HIF1A and CASP3 are linked to worse overall survival in Lung Adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cancer patients compared to normal patients. Ethyl cinnamate and cinnamaldehyde showed high binding energy with the MAPK3 and formed stable interactions with MAPK3 during the molecular dynamic simulations for 100 ns. The MM/PBSA analysis revealed that van der Waals (VdW) contributions predominantly account for a significant portion of the compound interactions within the binding pocket of MAPK3. Density functional theory analysis showed cinnamaldehyde as the most reactive and least stable compound. CTEO exhibited selective cytotoxicity by inhibiting the proliferation of A549 cells while sparing normal HEK293 cells. CTEO triggered apoptosis by arresting the cell cycle, increasing ROS accumulation, causing mitochondrial depolarisation, and elevating caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 levels in A549 cells. The above study provides insights into the pharmacological mechanisms of action of Cinnamomum tamala essential oil against non-small cell lung cancer treatment, suggesting its potential as an adjuvant therapy.

Recent Advances in Nanotechnology-Based Targeted Delivery Systems of Active Constituents in Natural Medicines for Cancer Treatment

Owing to high efficacy and safety, natural medicines have found their way into the field of cancer therapy over the past few decades. However, the effective ingredients of natural medicines have shortcomings of poor solubility and low bioavailability. Nanoparticles can not only solve the problems above but also have outstanding targeting ability. Targeting preparations can be classified into three levels, which are target tissues, cells, and organelles. On the premise of clarifying the therapeutic purpose of drugs, one or more targeting methods can be selected to achieve more accurate drug delivery and consequently to improve the anti-tumor effects of drugs and reduce toxicity and side effects. The aim of this review is to summarize the research status of natural medicines' nano-preparations in tumor-targeting therapies to provide some references for further accurate and effective cancer treatments.

Anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects of nanoemulsion of Origanum majorana essential oil

Background and Objectives

This study aimed to develop a natural nanoemulsion with antibacterial and anticancer properties.

Materials and Methods

The chemical composition of the Origanum majorana essential oil was investigated using GC-MS analysis. Besides, the successful loading of the essential oil in the nanoemulsion was confirmed using ATR-FTIR analysis. Moreover, nanoemulsion's anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities were investigated.

Results

Terpinen-4-o1 (46.90%) was identified as the major compound in the essential oil. The nanoemulsion with a 149 ± 5 nm droplet size and zeta potential of -11 ± 1 mV was prepared. The cytotoxic effect of the nanoemulsion against A-375 human melanoma cells (IC50 = 139 μg/mL) showed significantly more potency than A-549 human lung cancer cells (IC50 = 318 μg/mL). Interestingly, growth of Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and E. coli (Gram-negative) bacteria after treatment with 4800 μg/mL of nanoemulsion were obtained at 12 ± 2 and 6 ± 1%, respectively. However, the IC50 value of nanoemulsion against E. coli (580 μg/mL) was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from S. aureus (611 μg/mL).

Conclusion

A straightforward preparation method, high stability, and multi-biological effects are the main advantages of the prepared nanoemulsion. Therefore it could be considered for further investigation in vivo studies or complementary medicine.

Curcumin: Overview of Extraction Methods, Health Benefits, and Encapsulation and Delivery Using Microemulsions and Nanoemulsions

Curcumin is the principal curcuminoid found in the rhizomes of turmeric. Due to its therapeutic action against cancer, depression, diabetes, some bacteria, and oxidative stress, it has been used widely in medicine since ancient times. Due to its low solubility, the human organism cannot completely absorb it. Advanced extraction technologies, followed by encapsulation in microemulsion and nanoemulsion systems, are currently being used to improve bioavailability. This review discusses the different methods available for curcumin extraction from plant material, methods for the identification of curcumin in the resulting extracts, its beneficial effects on human health, and the encapsulation techniques into small colloidal systems that have been used over the past decade to deliver this compound.