Search

The cherry tomato is a nutritious product commonly used in salads or consumed as a dietary supplement. However, improper storage after harvesting can lead to a decrease in its quality and shelf-life. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of free essential oil of Mentha × Piperita L. and solid lipid nanoparticles containing free essential oil at concentrations of 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.075%, 0.1%, and 0.2% on the microbial load and post-harvest quality of Solanum lycopersicum cv. Santiago F1 during 28 days of storage at 8°C. Fruits coated with solid lipid nanoparticles containing essential oil at 0.075%, 0.1%, and 0.2% maintained their quality attributes, including firmness at approximately 50%, ascorbic acid at about 80%, phenolic compounds, color parameters, antioxidant activity at around 71%, and sensory properties compared to the control groups or fruits treated with free essential oil of Mentha × Piperita L. This coating also effectively suppressed cellulase and polyphenol oxidase activity, reducing microbial load and weight loss percentages to under 10%. However, it's important to note that fruits coated with free essential oil of Mentha × Piperita L. at 0.1% and 0.2% showed visible tissue damage. Our research demonstrated that the combination of solid lipid nanoparticles and free essential oil of Mentha × Piperita L. resulted in a decrease in microbial load, an extension of shelf-life, and improvements in the quality characteristics of cherry tomato fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hair loss and hirsutism have been major complaints due to increased concentrations of dihydrotestosterone. The plant Platycladus orientalis, with 5-alpha reductase inhibitor properties, has been used to treat these disorders. Its formulation with lipophilic carriers in SLN possesses high loading capacity and greater permeability to hair follicles. The present study aimed to determine the content of active ingredients in the extract of P. orientalis L. and to prepare and characterize the solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) of Platycladus orientalis L. extract as a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. The total methanolic extract was obtained following the maceration technique. This preparation was analyzed by HPLC using Quercetin and Cedrol as standard components. SLNs were prepared by high-shear homogenization and ultrasound. Four Glucire-GMS-Compritol-Precirol lipids and three poloxamer-tween80-Labrasol surfactants were further used in the formulations. Particle size, zeta potential, nanoparticle morphology, encapsulation percentage, crystal structure, physical stability, size, and zeta potential were studied 0, 3, and 6 months after preparation. Within 1-7 days after preparation, formulations containing GMS and compritol lipids became solid and jelly. Meanwhile, the formulations with Precirol as the lipid and Poloxamer as the surfactant with 0.3% extract exhibited desirable properties such as average particle size (192 nm), the encapsulation of the extract inside the nanoparticles was almost 71%, and good zeta potential. This formulation containing precirol as a lipid, poloxamer as a surfactant, and 0.3% plant extract exhibited greater 5-alpha reductase inhibitor activity, and it can be recommended to treat hair loss and hirsutism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoencapsulation of essential oils is a promising strategy for extending their antifungal activity and addressing evaporation and decomposition in unfavorable environmental conditions. This research aimed to synthesize and compare the physical properties of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) containing peppermint essential oil (PE) during 12 months of storage at various temperatures (4°C, 25°C, 27°C with 60% relative humidity, 37°C, and 40°C with 75% relative humidity), and to investigate their antifungal activity compared to free PE. The SLN formulations were prepared using high-shear homogenization and ultrasound techniques and were analyzed using a particle size analyzer, differential scanning calorimetry, transmission electron microscopy, and microscopic images of fungal mycelium to assess encapsulation efficacy. The results showed that the PE-SLNs had a size of 164.2 ±5.8 nm, a PDI value of 0.176 ±0.01, a zeta potential value of -11.3 mV, and an encapsulation percentage of approximately 75 ±0.5%. Overall, the physical properties of the formulations showed a slight and acceptable increase over the 12-month storage period at all investigated temperatures. Furthermore, the in vitro inhibition percentage of free PE at a concentration of 2000 µL L-1 against Penicillium italicum and P. digitatum was 66.7% ±2.6 and 66.8% ±0.8, respectively, while for PESLNs it was 88.8% ±0.9 and 89.9% ±1.4. These results demonstrate the potential of SLNs as an effective carrier for sustained delivery of PE with improved antifungal activity during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to characterize the undecylenoyl phenylalanine (Sepiwhite (SEPI))-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) as a new antimelanogenesis compound. Methods: In this study, an optimized SEPI-NLC formulation was prepared and characterized for particle size, zeta potential, stability, and encapsulation efficiency. Then, in vitro drug loading capacity and the release profile of SEPI, and its cytotoxicity were investigated. The ex vivo skin permeation and the anti-tyrosinase activity of SEPI-NLCs were also evaluated. Results: The optimized SEPI-NLC formulation showed the size of 180.1 ± 5.01 nm, a spherical morphology under TEM, entrapment efficiency of 90.81 ± 3.75%, and stability for 9 months at room temperature. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis exhibited an amorphous state of SEPI in NLCs. In addition, the release study demonstrated that SEPI-NLCs had a biphasic release outline with an initial burst release compared to SEPI-EMULSION. About 65% of SEPI was released from SEPI-NLC within 72 h, while in SEPI-EMULSION, this value was 23%. The ex vivo permeation profiles revealed that the higher SEPI accumulation in the skin following application of SEPI-NLC (up to 88.8%) compared to SEPI-EMULSION (65%) and SEPI-ETHANOL (74.8%) formulations (P < 0.01). An inhibition rate of 72% and 65% was obtained for mushroom and cellular tyrosinase activity of SEPI, respectively. Moreover, results of in vitro cytotoxicity assay confirmed SEPI-NLCs to be non-toxic and safe for topical use. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that NLC can efficiently deliver SEPI into the skin, which has a promise for topical treatment of hyperpigmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): In this work, we loaded Auraptene (AUR) into nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) and performed an assessment on inhibitory activities of the obtained AUR-NLCs on melanogenesis. Materials and Methods: AUR-NLCs were prepared through a high shear homogenization and ultrasound method. Results: Entrapment efficiency and Particle size of the optimized formulation were 103.1±4.9 nm and 89.56±3.75. The TEM outcomes exhibited the spherical shape of our nanoparticles, while the DSC analysis revealed the lack of any drug-lipid incompatibility throughout the formulations. A prolonged drug-release was observed from AUR-NLCs when compared to the AUR-solution. According to results, this product can significantly attenuated the activity of cellular tyrosinase and ROS content with minimal cytotoxic effects in B16F10 cell line, which in contrast to AUR-solution. Moreover, the western blotting analysis was indicative of AUR-NLCs ability to inhibit melanogenesis through the suppression of MITF and act much more efficiently than AUR-solution. Conclusion: AUR-NLCs can offer merits as a natural anti-tyrosinase agent for the treatment of hyperpigmentory disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) loaded by Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam. were synthesized using the method of high shear homogenization and ultra sound. The lipid phase consisted of percirol ATO5 and campritol 888 (5% w/v). Poloxamer 188 (2.5% w/v) was used as surfactant. Different amount of essential oil (1, 2, 2.5% w/v) were added to SLN. Particle size of solid lipid nanoparticle loaded by essential oil (2.5%) (SLN-EO) was 241.1 nm with poly dispersity index (PDI) of 0.312 and Zeta potential – 22.6 mv. Entrapment efficiency of SLN-EO (2.5%) was 93%. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study showed the spherical particles with the size under 100 nm. Based on the results of fumigant toxicity, the LC50 values of SLN-EO and pure oil against Tribolium castaneum were 30.602 and 68.303 µL. L air−1, respectively. These results demonstrated that SLN-EO had higher toxicity effects on red flour beetles. The comparative assessment of persistence indicated SLN-EO formulation remained effective until 14 days, while the pure oil lost its toxicity after the 8th day of application. Chemical composition of Ziziphoraclinopodioides showed that pulegone (51.78%), 1, 8- cineole (8.95%), p- menthone (7.74%) and piperitenone (5.7%) were the major components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): The present study aimed to determine and compare moisturizing and occlusion effects of different solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) using magnetized water and deionized water. Materials and Methods: SLN formulations were prepared using various lipids, including Tripalmitin, Compritol®, Precirol®, and emulsifiers including Poloxamer and Tween 80. NLC formulations were also prepared with oleic acid and the same solid lipids. Two types of formulations were prepared; first with deionized water and then with magnetized water. Formulations were prepared using high shear homogenization and ultrasound methods. The products were analyzed by PSA (particle size analyzer), DSC (differential scanning calorimetry), and TEM (transmission electron microscopy). The moisturizing effect of formulations was determined by in vivo and in vitro methods. Results: Findings of the assessments demonstrated that in products prepared with magnetized water, 5% SLN Precirol® had the most moisturizing effect in vivo and 5% SLN Compritol® had the most moisturizing effect in vitro. The use of magnetized water in formulations can improve the effectiveness and increase the stability of moisturizing products. Conclusion: In this study, all products prepared with magnetized water showed more stability, smaller size, and more moisturizing effects compared with products prepared with deionized water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]