Chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of essential oil from the aerial parts of Chuquiraga arcuataHarling grown in the highlands of Ecuador / Composición química, actividades antioxidantes y antimicrobianas del aceite esencial de las partes aéreas de Chuquiraga arcuataHarling cultivado en las tierras altas del Ecuador

Thechemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil from aerial parts (leaves and flowers) of Chuquiraga arcuataHarling grown in the Ecuadorian Andes were studied. One hundred and twenty-six compounds were identified in the essential oil. Monoterpene hydrocarbons (45.8%) and oxygenated monoterpenes (44.1%) had the major percentages. The most abundant compounds were camphor (21.6%), myrcene (19.5%), and 1,8-cineole (13.4%). Antioxidant activity was examined using DPPH, ABTS,and FRAP assays. The essential oil had a moderate scavenging effect and reduction of ferric ion capacity through FRAP assay. Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was observed against four pathogenic bacteria and a fungus. The essential oil exhibited activity against all microorganism strains under test, particularly against Candida albicansand Staphylococcus aureuswith MICs of 2.43-12.10 µg/mL.

Se estudió la composición química, actividades antioxidantes y antimicrobianas del aceite esencial procedente de las partes aérea (hojas y flores) de Chuquiraga arcuataHarling cultivadas en los Andes ecuatorianos. Se identificaron 126 compuestos en el aceite esencial. Los hidrocarburos monoterpénicos (45,8%) y los monoterpenos oxigenados (44,1%) tuvieron el mayor porcentaje. Los compuestos más abundantes fueron alcanfor (21,6%), mirceno (19,5%) y 1,8-cineol (13,4%). La actividadantioxidante se examinó mediante ensayos DPPH, ABTS y FRAP. El aceite esencial tuvo un efecto eliminador moderado y una reducción de la capacidad de iones férricos mediante el ensayo FRAP. Se observó actividad antimicrobiana del aceite esencial contra cuatro bacterias y un hongo patógenos. El aceite esencial mostró actividad contra todas las cepas de microorganismos bajo prueba, particularmente contra Candida albicansy Staphylococcus aureuscon CMI de 2,43-12,10 µg/mL.

Comprehensive Analysis Reveals the Difference in Volatile Oil between Bupleurum marginatum var. stenophyllum (Wolff) Shan et Y. Li and the Other Four Medicinal Bupleurum Species.

Volatile oil serves as a traditional antipyretic component of Bupleuri Radix. Bupleurum marginatum var. stenophyllum (Wolff) Shan et Y. Li belongs to the genus Bupleurum and is distinguished for its high level of saikosaponins and volatile oils; nonetheless, prevailing evidence remains inconclusive regarding its viability as an alternative resource of other official species. This study aims to systematically compare the volatile oil components of both dried and fresh roots of B. marginatum var. stenophyllum and the four legally available Bupleurum species across their chemical, molecular, bionics, and anatomical structures. A total of 962 compounds were determined via GC-MS from the dried roots; B. marginatum var. stenophyllum showed the greatest differences from other species in terms of hydrocarbons, esters, and ketones, which was consistent with the results of fresh roots and the e-nose analysis. A large number of DEGs were identified from the key enzyme family of the monoterpene synthesis pathway in B. marginatum var. stenophyllum via transcriptome analysis. The microscopic observation results, using different staining methods, further showed the distinctive high proportion of phloem in B. marginatum var. stenophyllum, the structure which produces volatile oils. Together, these pieces of evidence hold substantial significance in guiding the judicious development and utilization of Bupleurum genus resources.

Chemical Composition, Nutritional, and Biological Properties of Extracts Obtained with Different Techniques from Aronia melanocarpa Berries.

This study investigates the chemical composition, nutritional, and biological properties of extracts obtained from A. melanocarpa berries using different extraction methods and solvents. Hydrodistillation and supercritical fluid extraction with CO2 allowed us to isolate fruit essential oil (HDEX) and fixed oil (SFEEX), respectively. A phenol-enriched extract was obtained using a mild ultrasound-assisted maceration with methanol (UAMM). The HDEX most abundant component, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), was italicene epoxide (17.2%), followed by hexadecanoic acid (12.4%), khusinol (10.5%), limonene (9.7%), dodecanoic acid (9.7%), and (E)-anethole (6.1%). Linoleic (348.9 mg/g of extract, 70.5%), oleic (88.9 mg/g, 17.9%), and palmitic (40.8 mg/g, 8.2%) acids, followed by α-linolenic and stearic acids, were the main fatty acids in SFEEX determined using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector and an evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-DAD/ELSD). HPLC-DAD analyses of SFEEX identified ß-carotene as the main carotenoid (1.7 mg/g), while HPLC with fluorescence detection (FLU) evidenced α-tocopherol (1.2 mg/g) as the most abundant tocopherol isoform in SFEEX. Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-MS (LC-ESI-MS) analysis of UAMM showed the presence of quercetin-sulfate (15.6%, major component), malvidin 3-O-(6-O-p-coumaroyl) glucoside-4-vinylphenol adduct (pigment B) (9.3%), di-caffeoyl coumaroyl spermidine (7.6%), methyl-epigallocatechin (5.68%), and phloretin (4.1%), while flavonoids (70.5%) and phenolic acids (23.9%) emerged as the most abundant polyphenol classes. UAMM exerted a complete inhibition of the cholesterol oxidative degradation at 140 °C from 75 µg of extract, showing 50% protection at 30.6 µg (IA50). Furthermore, UAMM significantly reduced viability (31-48%) in A375 melanoma cells in the range of 500-2000 µg/mL after 96 h of incubation (MTT assay), with a low toxic effect in normal HaCaT keratinocytes. The results of this research extend the knowledge of the nutritional and biological properties of A. melanocarpa berries, providing useful information on specific extracts for potential food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications.

Photochemical and Oxidative Degradation of Chamazulene Contained in Artemisia, Matricaria and Achillea Essential Oils and Setup of Protection Strategies.

Chamazulene (CA) is an intensely blue molecule with a wealth of biological properties. In cosmetics, chamazulene is exploited as a natural coloring and soothing agent. CA is unstable and tends to spontaneously degrade, accelerated by light. We studied the photodegradation of CA upon controlled exposure to UVB-UVA irradiation by multiple techniques, including GC-MS, UHPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS and by direct infusion in ESI-MSn, which were matched to in silico mass spectral simulations to identify degradation products. Seven byproducts formed upon UVA exposure for 3 h at 70 mW/cm2 (blue-to-green color change) were identified, including CA dimers and CA benzenoid, which were not found on extended 6 h irradiation (green-to-yellow fading). Photostability tests with reduced irradiance conducted in various solvents in the presence/absence of air indicated highest degradation in acetonitrile in the presence of oxygen, suggesting a photo-oxidative mechanism. Testing in the presence of antioxidants (tocopherol, ascorbyl palmitate, hydroxytyrosol, bakuchiol, γ-terpinene, TEMPO and their combinations) indicated the highest protection by tocopherol and TEMPO. Sunscreens ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and particularly Tinosorb® S (but not octocrylene) showed good CA photoprotection. Thermal stability tests indicated no degradation of CA in acetonitrile at 50 °C in the dark for 50 days; however, accelerated degradation occurred in the presence of ascorbyl palmitate.

Chemical Composition, Repellent, and Oviposition Deterrent Potential of Wild Plant Essential Oils against Three Mosquito Species.

In this study, the chemical composition, repellent, and oviposition deterrent effects of five plant essential oils (EOs) extracted from Lantana camara (Verbenaceae), Schinus terebinthifolia (Anacardiaceae), Callistemon viminalis (Myrtaceae), Helichrysum odoratissimum (Asteraceae), and Hyptis suaveolens (Lamiaceae) were evaluated against Aedes aegypti, Anopheles gambiae, and Culex quinquefasciatus. When tested at 33.3 µg/cm2, L. camara, S. terebinthifolia, C. viminalis, and H. odoratissimum were effective repellents against Ae. aegypti (89%, 91%, 90%, and 51% repellency, respectively), but they were less repellent against An. gambiae (66%, 86%, 59%, and 49% repellency, respectively). Interestingly, L. camara, S. terebinthifolia, C. viminalis, and H. odoratissimum exhibited 100% repellency against Cx. quinquefasciatus at 33.3 µg/cm2. In time-span bioassays performed at 333 µg/cm2, the EO of L. camara exhibited 100% repellence against Ae. aegypti and An. gambiae for up to 15 min and against Cx. quinquefasciatus for 75 min. The oviposition bioassays revealed that L. camara exhibited the highest activity, showing 85%, 59%, and 89% oviposition deterrence against Ae. aegypti, An. gambiae, and Cx. quinquefasciatus, respectively. The major compounds of L. camara, S. terebinthifolia, and C. viminalis were trans-ß-caryophyllene (16.7%), α-pinene (15.5%), and 1,8-cineole (38.1%), respectively. In conclusion, the L. camara and S. terebinthifolia EOs have the potential to be natural mosquito repellents.

Evaluation of Aromatic Characteristics and Potential Applications of Hemerocallis L. Based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process.

Hemerocallis L. possesses abundant germplasm resources and holds significant value in terms of ornamental, edible, and medicinal aspects. However, the quality characteristics vary significantly depending on different varieties. Selection of a high-quality variety with a characteristic aroma can increase the economic value of Hemerocallis flowers. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is an effective decision-making method for comparing and evaluating multiple characteristic dimensions. By applying AHP, the aromatic character of 60 varieties of Hemerocallis flowers were analyzed and evaluated in the present study. Headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) was employed to identify volatile components in Hemerocallis flowers. Thirteen volatile components were found to contribute to the aroma of Hemerocallis flowers, which helps in assessing their potential applications in essential oil, aromatherapy, and medical treatment. These components include 2-phenylethanol, geraniol, linalool, nonanal, decanal, (E)-ß-ocimene, α-farnesene, indole, nerolidol, 3-furanmethanol, 3-carene, benzaldehyde and benzenemethanol. The varieties with better aromatic potential can be selected from a large amount of data using an AHP model. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of the aroma components in Hemerocallis flowers, offers guidance for breeding, and enhances the economic value of Hemerocallis flowers.

Insecticidal activity of Thymus pallescens de Noë and Cymbogon citratus essential oils against Sitophilus zeamais and Tribolium castaneum.

The thrust of the study was to determine the chemical composition of the essential oils extracted from Thymus pallescens de Noé and Cymbogon citratus Stapf. as well as to evaluate their efficacy in controlling Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) in either single or combined populations. Carvacrol (56.04%) and geraniol (20.86%) were identified as the major constituents of T. pallescens and C. citratus respectively. The tested essential oils showed pronounced insecticidal activity against the pest species in relation with the applied doses. T. pallescens EO had the highest efficacy and S. zeamais was found to be more susceptible to both individual and combined treatments. With reference to the contact and fumigation assessments, T. pallescens EO effectuated corrected mortality rates ranging from 42.5-100% to 25-100% in S. zeamais with corresponding lethal concentration (LC50) values of 17.7 µl/ml and 15µL/L air respectively. Whereas, the T. pallescens EO exhibited corrected mortality rates of 42.5-100% and 20-100% with corresponding LC50 values of 18.1 µl/ml and 15.5 µL/L air against T. castaneum in contact and fumigation assessments, respectively. The corrected mortality rates increased for both insect species when using combination treatments, with significant increases in the LC50 values, ranging from 8.59 to 49.9% for both pest species. Analysis of energy biomarkers in the treated insects indicate significantly increased protein and carbohydrate contents and decreased lipids levels. The study therefore demonstrated the bio-insecticidal toxicity of the EOs from T. pallescens and C. citratus against two important maize post-harvest pests, concurrently revealing significant positive and negative insecticidal activity gradients in relation to single or combined populations.

Cytotoxic activity of liposomal Thymus capitatus essential oil on HT-29 human colorectal cancer cell line.

Multidrug resistance, severe side effects, and high cancer treatment costs are still well-known issues and remain an open challenge. These factors reduce the therapy's efficiency and safety, seriously affecting human health. Developing therapeutic approaches based on plant extracts, especially based on essential oils with cytotoxic and antioxidant properties, could be of efficacious strategies. This work incorporated Thymus capitatus essential oil (TEO) in liposomes. Thymus capitatus is a plant native to the northern region of Albania and found specifically in the Mediterranean region. TEO has several biological activities and cytotoxic properties. Due to its volatility, poor solubility, and chemical instability, however, its applicability is restricted. Incorporation into liposomes enables its effective use because the exposure time to the active compounds can be extended, increasing its efficacy against colorectal cancer cell lines, as highlighted in in vitro studies. TEO demonstrated detectable cytotoxic action against HT-29 colorectal cancer cells, and this action could be enhanced by applying various formulations of TEO-loaded liposomes to this cell line. Among the tested nanosystems, TEO-Phospholipon 90H liposomes showed more significant cytotoxic effects than TEO-Lipoid S100 liposomes and TEO-Phospholipon 85G liposomes. TEO-Phospholipon 90 H liposomes also maintained its physicochemical stability for six months at 25 °C. This research suggests that TEO, particularly when encapsulated in TEO-Phospholipon 90 H liposomes, may offer a promising therapeutic approach. However, these findings are based on in vitro studies and further in vivo research is needed to validate the efficacy and safety of this approach in clinical settings.

Flower Power: An Overview on Chemistry and Biological Impact of Selected Essential Oils from Blossoms.

Natural raw materials such as essential oils have received more and more attention in recent decades, whether in the food industry, as flavorings and preservatives, or as insecticides and insect repellents. They are, furthermore, very popular as fragrances in perfumes, cosmetics, and household products. In addition, aromatherapy is widely used to complement conventional medicine. This review summarizes investigations on the chemical composition and the most important biological impacts of essential oils and volatile compounds extracted from selected aromatic blossoms, including Lavandula angustifolia, Matricaria recutita, Rosa x damascena, Jasminum grandiflorum, Citrus x aurantium, Cananga odorata, and Michelia alba. The literature was collected from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. Blossom essential oils discussed in this work are used in a wide variety of clinical issues. The application is consistently described as safe in studies and meta-analyses, although there are notes that using essential oils can also have side effects, especially dermatologically. However, it can be considered as confirmed that essential oils have positive influences on humans and can improve quality of life in patients with psychiatric disorders, critically ill patients, and patients in other exceptional situations. Although the positive effect of essential oils from blossoms has repeatedly been reported, evidence-based clinical investigations are still underrepresented, and the need for research is demanded.

Chemical compositions of Eucalyptus sp. Essential oils and the evaluation of their combinations as a promising treatment against ear bacterial infections.

BACKGROUND: The chemical composition and biological activities of Eucalyptus essential oils (EOs) have been documented in numerous studies against multiple infectious diseases. The antibacterial activity of individual Eucalyptus EOs against strains that cause ear infections was investigated in our previous study. The study's antibacterial activity was promising, which prompted us to explore this activity further with EO blends. METHODS: We tested 15 combinations (9 binary combinations and 6 combinations of binary combinations) of Eucalyptus EOs extracted by hydrodistillation from eight Tunisian Eucalyptus species dried leaves against six bacterial strains responsible for ear infections: three bacterial isolates (Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and three reference bacteria strains (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, ATTC 9027; Staphylococcus aureus, ATCC 6538; and Escherichia coli, ATCC 8739). The EOs were analyzed using GC/FID and GC/MS. The major compounds, as well as all values obtained from the bacterial growth inhibition assay, were utilized for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The antibacterial activity of the EO blends exhibited significant variation within Eucalyptus species, bacterial strains, and the applied methods. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), based on the diameters of the inhibition zone, facilitated the identification of two major groups and ten subgroups based on the level of antibacterial activity. The highest antibacterial activity was observed for the mixture of EOs extracted from E. panctata, E. accedens, and E. cladoclayx (paac) as well as E. panctata, E. wandoo, E. accedens, and E. cladoclayx (pwac) using the disc diffusion method. Additionally, significant activity was noted with EOs extracted from E. panctata, E. wandoo (pw) and E. panctata, E. accedens (pa) using the broth microdilution method. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that certain EO combinations (paac, pwac, pw, and pa) could be considered as potential alternative treatment for ear infections due to their demonstrated highly promising antibacterial activities.

Medicinal Anti-Inflammatory Patch Loaded with Lavender Essential Oil.

Transdermal drug delivery offers a promising alternative for administering medications like ibuprofen, known for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, with reduced gastrointestinal side effects compared to oral administration. This study explored the potential synergistic effects of combining ibuprofen with lavender essential oil (LEO) in transdermal patches. The composition of LEO was analyzed, revealing predominant compounds such as linalyl acetate and linalool, which are known for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The physicochemical properties of the patches were investigated, indicating improved cohesion with the addition of LEO. Additionally, thermal stability assessments demonstrated enhanced stability with LEO incorporation with an increase in onset decomposition temperature from 49.0 to 67.9 °C. The antioxidant activity of patches containing LEO was significantly higher with a free radical scavenging ability of 79.13% RSA compared to 60% RSA in patches without LEO. Release and permeation studies showed that patches with LEO exhibited an increased permeation of ibuprofen through the skin with 74.40% of the drug released from LEO-containing patches compared to 36.29% from patches without LEO after 24 h. Moreover, the permeation rate was notably faster with LEO, indicating quicker therapeutic effects. The inclusion of LEO in transdermal patches containing ibuprofen holds promise for enhancing drug delivery efficiency and therapeutic effectiveness, offering a potential strategy for improved pain management with reduced side effects.

Anthelmintic effects of some medicinal plants on different life stages of Fasciola hepatica: Evidence on oxidative stress biomarkers, and DNA damage.

Fasciolosis caused by Fasciola hepatica is a major public health and economic problem worldwide. Due to the lack of a successful vaccine and emerging resistance to the drug triclabendazole, alternative phytotherapeutic approaches are being investigated. This study investigated the in vitro anthelmintic activity of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) essential oils (EOs) against F. hepatica. The in vitro study was based on an egg hatch assay (EHA), adult motility inhibition assays, DNA damage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level along with several oxidative stress biomarkers including glutathione peroxidase (GSH), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). To this end, different concentrations of L. angustifolia and C. siliqua EOs (1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 mg/mL) were used to assess anthelmintic effects on different life stages including egg, and adults of F. hepatica for 24 hrs. The results indicated that these EOs play a significant role as anthelminthics, and the effect was dependent on time and concentration. The in vitro treatment of F. hepatica worms with both L. angustifolia and C. siliqua EOs increased DNA damage, ROS production and induction of oxidative stress (decreased SOD, GST and GSH, and increased MDA), significantly compared to control. Therefore, it can be concluded that L. angustifolia and C. siliqua EOs have the potential to be used as novel agents for the control and treatment of F. hepatica infections. Further studies are required to investigate their pharmacological potential and effectiveness in vivo for the treatment of parasitic infections.

Biological, phytochemical and molecular docking characteristics of Laurus nobilis L. fresh leaves essential oil from Palestine.

BACKGROUND: The historical use of Laurus nobilis L., the plant is native to the Mediterranean region and has been cultivated for its aromatic leaves, which are used as a flavoring agent in cooking and for their potential therapeutic properties. METHODS: The purpose of the current investigation was to characterize the essential oil composition of the fresh L. nobilis leaves from Palestine by using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), p-nitrophenyl butyrate, and 3,5-dinitro salicylic acid (DNSA) methods were employed to estimate the antioxidant, antiobesity, and antidiabetic effects of the essential oil. While MTS assay were used to evaluate their antiproliferative activities on panels of cell lines. Moreover, the docking studies were aided by the Prime MM GBSA method for estimating binding affinities. RESULTS: The GC-MS investigation demonstrated that the fresh L. nobilis leaves essential oil has a variety of chemicals, about 31 different biochemicals were identified, and the major compounds were 1,8-cineole (48.54 ± 0.91%), terpinyl acetate (13.46 ± 0.34%), and α-terpinyl (3.84 ± 0.35%). Furthermore, the investigated oil demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against all tested bacterial and candidal strains and significantly inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cancerous cells more than the chemotherapeutic drug Doxorubicin. Furthermore, it contains robust DPPH free radicals, as well as porcine pancreatic α-amylase and lipase enzymes. Using the 1,8-cineole compound as the predominant biomolecule found in the L. nobilis essential oil, molecular docking studies were performed to confirm these observed fabulous results. The molecular docking simulations proposed that these recorded biological activities almost emanated from its high ability to form strong and effective hydrophobic interactions, this led to the getting of optimal fitting and interaction patterns within the binding sites of the applied crystallographic protein targets. CONCLUSION: The results of these experiments showed that the fresh L. nobilis leaves essential oil has outstanding pharmacological capabilities, making this oil a potential source of natural medications.

Bioactivities of essential oil extracted from Elsholtzia densa Benth. And its main components against Tribolium castaneum eggs and pupae.

This study aimed to develop a relatively natural and safe botanical insecticide for controlling the storage pest Tribolium castaneum in the egg and pupal stages. It examined how Elsholtzia densa Benth. essential oil (EO) and its primary components, ß-caryophyllene and limonene, affected T. castaneum eggs and pupae through contact and fumigation. Among th, the contact activities of ß-caryophyllene against T. castaneum eggs and pupae are LD50 (median lethal dose, 50%) = 0.156 mg/cm2 and ED50 (median effective dose, 50%) = 16.35 mg/pupa respectively. The study also investigated the effect of ß-caryophyllene and limonene on T. castaneum eggs and pupae through synergistic contact and fumigation. When the mixing ratio of ß-caryophyllene and limonene was 7:1, the LD50 value of contact activity against T. castaneum eggs was reduced to 0.100 mg/cm2, displaying an obvious synergistic effect. Experiments were conducted to investigate the antitoxic effect of ß-caryophyllene on T. castaneum eggs and pupae, as well as its effects on the enzymatic activity of acetylcholinesterase, succinate dehydrogenase, glutathione S-transferase and carboxylesterase in T. castaneum pupae. Finally, the molecular docking techniques were employed to confirm the aforementioned effects on enzyme function. The findings of this study might help improve storage pest control with T. castaneum and create eco-friendly insecticides using E. densa EO, ß-caryophyllene, and limonene.

Exploring the bio-insecticidal activity of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil/ß-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes: In vitro and in silico assessment against Ephestia kuehniella larvae.

Owing to their beneficial functional capabilities, essential oils were largely used. However, their low aqueous solubility, instability, and high volatility urged scientists to their encapsulation with cyclodextrins (CDs) to tackle their shortcomings. In this study, the co-precipitation method was used to prepare ß-CD/Eucalyptus globulus essential oil (EGEO) inclusion complexes (ICs). ß-CD/EGEO ICs were prepared at ratios (w:w) 1:2 and 1:4 with an encapsulation efficiency of 93 and 96%, respectively. The ICs characterization using the Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, Dynamic Light Scattering, and Laser Doppler Velocimetry confirmed the formation of ß-CD/EGEO ICs. The insecticidal activity of the free EGEO and ICs was explored and displayed that the complex ß-CD/EGEO 1:4 had the highest activity with the lowest LC50 against Ephestia kuehniella larvae (5.03 ± 1.16 mg/g) when compared to the free oil (8.38 ± 1.95 mg/g). Molecular docking simulations stipulated that the compound α-Bisabolene epoxide had the best docking score (ΔG = -7.4 Kcal/mol) against the selected insecticidal target α-amylase. Additionally, toxicity evaluation of the studied essential oil suggested that it could be safely used as a potent bioinsecticide as compared to chemical insecticides. This study reveals that the formation of ß-CD/EGEO ICs enhanced the oil activity and stability and could be a promising and safe tool to boost its application in food or pharmaceutical fields.

Sodium alginate/gelatin hydrogel spheres loaded with Fructus Ligustri Lucidi essential oil: Preparation, characterization and biological activity.

The application of plant essential oils in the food industry is often hindered by their poor water solubility and high volatilize. Encapsulation has emerged as an effective solution to this problem. This study focuses on the preparation of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi essential oil gel spheres (FEOH) based sodium alginate and gelatin. The optimum formulation for FEOH was established by Box-Behnken Design response surface testing, resulting in a composition of 10 % FEO, 5 % TW20 and 2 % CaCl2. This formulation achieved an encapsulation efficiency of 85.56 %. FTIR and SEM results indicated the successful encapsulation of FEO within the gel spheres. Furthermore, DSC and TGA results showed that encapsulation enhanced the thermal stability of the essential oil. At room temperature, the water content of FEOH exceeded 90 %, and it showed the highest swelling ratio of 62.5 % in an alkaline medium at different pH conditions. The in vitro release behavior showed that FEOH was released up to 85.28 % in oil-based food simulants within 2 h. FEOH showed strong antibacterial activity, with a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 128 mg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus and 256 mg/mL against Escherichia coli. The gel spheres obtained in this research show significant potential as food preservatives in food matrices.

Chitosan, gelatin and pectin based bionanocomposite films with rosemary essential oil as an active ingredient for future foods.

Bionanocomposite films of three biopolymers including chitosan, gelatin, and pectin incorporated with rosemary essential oil (REO) were developed and characterized in terms of their physical, structural, mechanical, morphological, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Incorporation of REO showed an increased hydrophobic nature thus, improved water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), tensile strength (TS), elongation-at-break (EAB), and thermal stability significantly (P ≤ 0.05) as compared to the control films. The addition of REO leads to more opaque films with relatively increased microstructural heterogeneity, resulting in an increase in film opacity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and particle size revealed that REO incorporation exhibits high physicochemical stability in chitosan, gelatin, and pectin bionanocomposite films. Incorporation of REO exhibited the highest inhibitory activity against the tested pathogenic strains (Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli). Furthermore, the addition of REO increased the inhibitory activity of films against ABTS and DPPH free radicals. Therefore, chitosan, gelatin, and pectin-based bionanocomposite films containing REO as food packaging could act as a potential barrier to extending food shelf life.

Preparation of films based on reticulated fish gelatin containing garlic essential oil.

Agro-industrial co-products, such as fish gelatin, stand out for their capacity in forming biopolymeric films, being biocompatible and non-toxic; however, its hydrophilicity poses a challenge. Essential oils, rich in bioactives, attract research interest aiming to enhance the protective barrier of films and enable their application in packaging. This study produced films based on cross-linked Nile tilapia skin gelatin, incorporating garlic essential oil. Gelatin obtained through partial collagen hydrolysis from the fish skin and cross-linked with gallic acid had hydroxyproline content of 10.02 g 100 g-1 and gel strength of 287 g, which were consistent with other studies. Oil extraction used supercritical CO2 as a solvent and ethanol as a cosolvent, following a factorial experimental design, evaluating the extraction temperature (40 °C and 70 °C) and cosolvent ratio (1:1 and 1:3), with three central points. Extraction was successful, with higher yields on a dry basis at 70 °C (88.35 %), using a 1:1 cosolvent ratio. Films incorporated with oil exhibited lower water vapor permeability (WVP) than those with only cross-linked gelatin (1.59 (g m-1 s-1 Pa-1) 1011). The film with the most suitable tensile strength (19.07 MPa), elongation (120.91 %), and WVP (1.09 (g m-1 s-1 Pa-1) 1011) properties contained garlic oil extracted at the central point (55 °C and 1:2). Thermal analysis indicated increased melting temperatures in films with added oil, suggesting low thermal degradation. These results suggest that garlic oil addition can improve the properties of fish gelatin-based films, making them promising for biodegradable packaging.

[Analysis of active components of Acorus tatarinowii extracts and its activity against dust mites].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the activity of Acorus tatarinowii extracts against dust mites, and to isolate and characterize active ingredient of A. tatarinowii extracts. METHODS: The essential oil components were extracted from A. tatarinowii rhizome powder by rotary evaporation with methanol as solvents, followed by petroleum ether extraction and rotary evaporation. The essential oil was mixed with Tween-80 at a ratio of 1:1 and diluted into concentrations of 1.000 00%, 0.500 00%, 0.250 00%, 0.125 00%, 0.062 50% and 0.031 25%, while diluted Tween-80 served as controls. A. tatarinowii essential oil at each concentration (200 µL) was transferred evenly to filter papers containing 100 adult mites, with each test repeated in triplicate, and controls were assigned for each concentration. Following treatment at 25 °C and 75% relative humidity for 24 h, the mean corrected mortality of mites was calculated. The essential oil components were separated by silica gel column chromatography, and the essential oil was prepared in the positive column of medium pressure; and then, each component was collected. Silica gel column chromatography was run with the mobile phase that consisted of petroleum ether solution containing 10% ethyl acetate and pure ethyl acetate, detection wavelength of 254 nm, positive silica gel column as the chromatography column, and room temperature as the column temperature. Each component of the purified A. tatarinowii essential oil was diluted into 1.000 00% for acaricidal tests. The components with less than 100% acaricidal activity were discarded, and the remaining components were diluted into 50% of the previous-round tests for subsequent acaricidal tests. The components with acaricidal activity were subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and pulsed-Fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The structure of active monomer compounds was determined by standard spectral library retrieval and literature review. RESULTS: A. tatarinowii essential oil at concentrations of 1.000 00%, 0.500 00%, 0.250 00% and 0.125 00% killed all dust mites, and the corrected mortality was all 100%. Exposure to A. tatarinowii extracts at an effective concentration of 0.062 50% for 24 hours resulted in 94.33% mortality of dust mites. Six components (A to F) were separated using gel column chromatography, and components D and E both showed a 100% acaricidal activity against dust mites at a concentration of 0.50000%. In addition, Component D was identified as isoeugenol methyl ether, and Component E as ß-asarinol. CONCLUSIONS: The extract of A. tatarinowii essential oil has acaricidal activity, and the isoeugenol methyl ether shows a remarkable acaricidal activity against dust mites.

Enhancing Therapeutic Efficacy of Cinnamon Essential Oil by Nanoemulsification for Intravaginal Treatment of Candida Vaginitis.

Background: Due to its prevalence, recurrence, and the emergence of drug-resistance, Candida vaginitis significantly impacts the well-being of women. Although cinnamon essential oil (CEO) possesses antifungal activity, its hydrophobic properties limit its clinical application. Purpose: To overcome this challenge, a nanoemulsification technology was employed to prepare cinnamon essential oil-nanoemulsion (CEO@NE), and its therapeutic efficacy and action mechanism for Candida vaginitis was investigated in vivo and in vitro. Materials and Methods: CEO@NE, composed of 4% CEO, 78% distilled water, and 18% Tween 80, was prepared by ultrasonic nanoemulsification. The physical properties, anti-Candida activity, cytotoxicity, immunomodulatory potential and storage stability of CEO@NE were explored. Subsequently, the effect of intravaginal CEO@NE treatment on Candida vaginitis was investigated in mice. To comprehend the possible mechanism of CEO@NE, an analysis was conducted to ascertain the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in C. albicans. Results: CEO@NE, with the droplet size less than 100 nm and robust storage stability for up to 8 weeks, exhibited comparable anti-Candida activity with CEO. CEO@NE at the concentration lower than 400 µg/mL had no cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects on murine splenocytes. Intravaginal treatment of CEO@NE (400 µg/mL, 20 µL/day/mouse for 5 consecutive days) curbed Candida colonization, ameliorated histopathological changes, and suppressed inflammatory cytokine production in mice intravaginally challenged with C. albicans. Notably, this treatment preserved the density of vaginal lactic acid bacteria (LAB) crucial for vaginal health. Co-culturing C. albicans with CEO@NE revealed concentration-dependent augmentation of intracellular ROS generation and ensuing cell death. In addition, co-culturing LPS-stimulated murine splenocytes with CEO@NE yielded a decrease in the generation of cytokines. Conclusion: This discovery provides insight into the conceivable antifungal and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of CEO@NE to tackle Candida vaginitis. CEO@NE offers a promising avenue to address the limitations of current treatments, providing novel strategy for treating Candida vaginitis.