ABSTRACT
Introduction: Plant essential oils (EOs) can be used as a feasible tool for insect pest control. Nanoparticle formulations of plant EOs can improve the efficiency and stability of EOs, as well as insecticidal potential. Methods: In this study, Carum copticum L. essential oil-loaded nanoparticles (OLNs) were prepared via an oil-in-water emulsion, followed by droplet solidiffication via ionic gelation using a cross-linker, sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). The nanoparticles were characterized by ultraviolet and visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), laser light scattering (LS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, the insecticidal activity of C. copticum EO and OLNs was evaluated against Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) and Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). In addition, their effectiveness was assessed on the progeny production of tested insect species. Results and discussion: The loading efficiency ranged from 34.33 to 84.16% when the chitosan to EO weight ratio was 1:1.25 and 1:0.5, respectively. The loading efficiency decreased with increasing EO content in the nanoparticles. The OLN particles exhibited spherical shape. The particle size was in the range 120-223.6 nm and increased with the increase of EO to chitosan ratio. So that the largest mean particle size (223.6 nm) was reported in the 1:1.25 weight ratio of chitosan to the EO. The mortality percentage of R. dominica and T. confusum adults were 74 and 57% when exposed for 7 days to 2000 mg/kg of OLNs at the 1:1.25 weight ratio, while EO caused 62 and 44% mortality on both insect species, respectively. Therefore, OLNs can potentially improve the insecticidal activity of C. copticum EO and could be applied to facilitate control of stored-product insect pests.
ABSTRACT
Abstract In the recent past, drug delivery through nanoparticles is considered an effective tool to treat various diseases. Biopolymeric nanoparticles such as protein based nanoparticles have vital role as drug carrier as it is non-antigenic, and easily biodegradable. Curcumin, plant polyphenolic anticancerous compound was loaded into the casein nanoparticles by coacervation method. Particle size and surface charge of spherical casein nanoparticles as observed to be 201.4 nm and -86.9 mV. The loading efficiency of curcumin loaded casein nanoparticles was found to 85.05 %. In vitro drug release was performed at different pH (7.4 and 3.0), and the cumulative release was observed to be 24.8 and 20.13% and at different temperatures (25°C and 37°C), the cumulative release was observed to be 24.8 and 28.60 % respectively in 48 h. Curcumin release from casein nanoparticles was shown to be in a steady, and prolonged rate. The nanoparticles were observed to have an effective antimocrobial activity than curcumin in free form. The drug loaded casein nanoparticles were found to be potent particles to protect cells from hydrogen peroxide and UV light damage. The cytotoxic activity of nanoparticles on MCF7 and A549 cells were assayed and was observed to have an IC50 value of 609 and 825.2µg/ml. Cell death was observed to be through apoptosis, accompanied by DNA fragmentation.