Lipidic Matrixes Containing Clove Essential Oil: Biological Activity, Microstructural and Textural Studies.

Clove essential oil (CEO) is known for having excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, but the poor stability of its components to light and temperature compromise this activity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the textural, antioxidant, antimicrobial and microstructural properties of matrixes produced with representative natural waxes and CEO. Thus, waxy emulsifiers, such as beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, and ozokerite wax, were employed to create such matrixes. The thermal, microstructural, textural, wetting, antioxidant, antimicrobial and infrared characteristics of the matrixes were then studied. The diverse chemical composition (long-chain wax esters in carnauba wax and short-chain fatty acids and hydrocarbons in beeswax and ozokerite wax, respectively) explained the differences in wetting, texture, melting, and crystallization characteristics. Crystal forms of these matrix systems varied from grainy, oval, to needle-like shape, but keeping an orthorhombic allomorph. The alignment and reorganization of beeswax and ozokerite wax into needle-like crystals increased the matrix strength and adhesion force compared to those of carnauba and candelilla matrixes, which showed weak strength and grainy morphology. The former two waxes and their matrixes also showed the largest plasticity. These lipidic matrixes show potential use for topical applications having acceptable antioxidant and textural properties.

Metabolic Activity of Anthocyanin Extracts Loaded into Non-ionic Niosomes in Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

PURPOSE: Anthocyanins (ACNs) are polyphenols that might reduce pathological processes associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and other chronic diseases, but their bioavailability is still controversial. In this study, the metabolic activity of oral delivery of ACN-loaded niosomes was investigated and evaluated in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice model. METHODS: ACNs extracted from Vaccinium Meridionale by the supercritical fluid extraction method were loaded in niosomes. The niosomal formulation was physically characterized and further administrated in drinking water to obese, insulin resistant mouse. We evaluated the effect of ACN loaded niosomes on hyperglycemia, glucose and insulin intolerance and insulin blood levels in C57BL/6 J mice fed with a high-fat diet. RESULTS: The ACN-loaded particles were moderately monodisperse, showed a negative surface charge and 57% encapsulation efficiency. The ACN-loaded niosomes ameliorated the insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in the DIO mice model. Additionally, they reduced animal weight and plasma insulin, glucose, leptin and total cholesterol levels in obese mice. CONCLUSION: ACN-loaded niosomes administration, as a functional drink, had a beneficial effect on the reversal of metabolic abnormalities associated with obesity.

Antioxidant Activity and Cardioprotective Effect of a Nonalcoholic Extract of Vaccinium meridionale Swartz during Ischemia-Reperfusion in Rats.

Our objective was to assess the antioxidant properties and the effects against the reperfusion injury of a nonalcoholic extract obtained by fermentation from the Colombian blueberry, mortiño (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz, Ericaceae). Antioxidant properties were assessed by in vitro systems. To examine the postischemic myocardial function, isolated rat hearts were treated 10 min before ischemia and during the first 10 min of reperfusion with the extract. To analyze the participation of nitric oxide (NO), other experiments were performed in the presence of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). In cardiac tissue thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration, reduced glutathione (GSH) content, endothelial NOS (eNOS), and Akt expression were also measured. The blueberry extract showed higher total phenols and anthocyanins contents, scavenging activity of superoxide radical and systolic and diastolic function was improved, TBARS diminished, GSH was partially preserved, and both NOS and Akt expression increased in hearts treated with the extract. These beneficial effects were lost when eNOS was inhibited. In resume, these data show that the increase of eNOS expression via Akt and the scavenging activity contribute to the cardioprotection afforded by acute treatment with Colombian blueberry extract against ischemia and reperfusion injury.