GC MS Analysis of the Volatile Constituents of Essential Oil and Aromatic Waters of Artemisia Annua L. at Different Developmental Stages

Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae) still represents the only source of artemisinin, considered as one of the most important drugs for the treatment of malaria and which, more recently, has been shown to be effective against numerous types of tumors. The foliage and inflorescence of A. annua also yield an essential oil upon hydrodistillation. This oil has been evaluated at different development stages (pre-flowering and flowering) by GC/MS. The volatile oil from plants at full blooming showed numerous constituents, with germacrene D (21.2%), camphor (17.6%), β-farnesene (10.2%), β-caryophyllene (9%), and bicyclogermacrene (4.2%) among the main ones. Aromatic waters, after extraction with n-hexane, showed the presence, among others, of camphor (27.7%), 1,8-cineole (14%), artemisia ketone (10.1%), α-terpineol (6.1%), trans-pinocarveol (5.4%), and artemisia alcohol (2%). From plants at the pre-flowering stage, aromatic waters were obtained with camphor (30.7%), 1,8-cineole (12.8%), artemisia alcohol (11.4%), artemisia ketone (9.5%), alpha-terpineol (5.8%), and trans-pinocarveol (3.0%) as the main constituents. The qualitative and quantitative profiles of the two aromatic waters were similar. These results permitted the conclusion to be made that A. annua could be harvested a long time before the onset of flowering to obtain higher yields of artemisinin or could be allowed to attain maturity to obtain valuable yields of volatiles

Optimization, characterization and in vitro evaluation of curcumin microemulsions

Abstract The purpose of this study was to improve the solubility and the stability and oral uptake of curcumin by developing an o/w microemulsion, using food grade components. Three microemulsions were developed and characterized, stabilized by non ionic surfactants Cremophor EL, Tween 20, Tween 80 or Lecitin and containing a variety of oils, namely olive oil, wheat germ oil, vitamin E. Chemical and physical stabilities of three systems was also evaluated within two months. The oral absorption of curcumin from the best microemulsion was investigated in vitro using parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA). The optimal formulation consisted of 3.3 g/100 g of vitamin E, 53.8 g/100 g of Tween 20, 6.6 g/100 g of ethanol and water (36.3 g/100 g), with a maximum solubility of curcumin up to 14.57 mg/ml and a percentage of permeation through the artificial membrane of about 70%

Essential Oils Loaded in Nanosystems: A Developing Strategy for a Successful Therapeutic Approach

Essential oils are complex blends of a variety of volatile molecules such as terpenoids, phenol-derived aromatic components, and aliphatic components having a strong interest in pharmaceutical, sanitary, cosmetic, agricultural, and food industries. Since the middle ages, essential oils have been widely used for bactericidal, virucidal, fungicidal, antiparasitical, insecticidal, and other medicinal properties such as analgesic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, and locally anaesthetic remedies. In this review their nanoencapsulation in drug delivery systems has been proposed for their capability of decreasing volatility, improving the stability, water solubility, and efficacy of essential oil-based formulations, by maintenance of therapeutic efficacy. Two categories of nanocarriers can be proposed: polymeric nanoparticulate formulations, extensively studied with significant improvement of the essential oil antimicrobial activity, and lipid carriers, including liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid particles, and nano- and microemulsions. Furthermore, molecular complexes such as cyclodextrin inclusion complexes also represent a valid strategy to increase water solubility and stability and bioavailability and decrease volatility of essential oils