Evaluation of the Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Origanum dictamnus Extracts before and after Encapsulation in Liposomes

The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of methanol or dichloromethane extracts of O. dictamnus, produced from wild and organic cultivated specimens, were determined. The Rancimat and malondialdehyde (MDA) by HPLC methods were used to measure the antioxidant action, in comparison with that of the common commercial antioxidants butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and α-tocopherol. The extracts that presented high antioxidant activity were encapsulated in liposomes and their antioxidant action was again estimated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Thermaloxidative decomposition of the samples (pure liposomes and encapsulated extracts) and the modification of the main transition temperature for the lipid mixture and the splitting of the calorimetric peak in the presence of the antioxidants were also studied by the DSC method. All extracts showed antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Their action proved superior to α-tocopherol. The methanol extract of organic cultivated O. dictamnus (240 ppm) showed higher activity than butylated hydroxytoluene. After encapsulation in liposomes the antioxidant as well as antimicrobial activities proved to be higher than those of the same extracts in pure form

Study of Stability, Cytotoxic and Antimicrobial Activity of Chios Mastic Gum Fractions (Neutral, Acidic) after Encapsulation in Liposomes

Mastic gum is a resinous sap produced by Pistacia lentiscus growing in the island of Chios (Greece) and has been recognized since Antiquity for its distinctive aroma as well as medical properties (antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory ones). The oral absorption of Chios Mastic gum (an insoluble polymer of poly-β-myrcene is among the most abundant contents) is poor due to its low water-solubility. We report in this study, two different Chios mastic gum extracts, the acidic mastic gum extract—AMGE—and the neutral one—NMGE, both prepared after removal of the contained polymer in order to ameliorate solubility and enhance in vivo activity. Liposomes are presented as a promising delivery system due to their physicochemical and biophysical properties to increase stability and absorption efficiency of the mastic gum extracts within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stability in GI simulated conditions together with cytotoxic and antimicrobial activity of the two extracts (AMGE and NMGE) after encapsulation in a well characterized liposome formulation. Liposomes-AMGE complex showed an improved stability behavior in GI simulated conditions. Both assayed extracts showed significant dose dependent inhibition against the growth of liver cancer HepG2 cells and an interesting antimicrobial activity against several microorganisms. Conclusively, encapsulation could be evaluated as a beneficial procedure for further applications of mastic resin

Evaluation of the Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Origanum dictamnus Extracts before and after Encapsulation in Liposomes

The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of methanol or dichloromethane extracts of O. dictamnus, produced from wild and organic cultivated specimens, were determined. The Rancimat and malondialdehyde (MDA) by HPLC methods were used to measure the antioxidant action, in comparison with that of the common commercial antioxidants butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and α-tocopherol. The extracts that presented high antioxidant activity were encapsulated in liposomes and their antioxidant action was again estimated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Thermaloxidative decomposition of the samples (pure liposomes and encapsulated extracts) and the modification of the main transition temperature for the lipid mixture and the splitting of the calorimetric peak in the presence of the antioxidants were also studied by the DSC method. All extracts showed antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Their action proved superior to α-tocopherol. The methanol extract of organic cultivated O. dictamnus (240 ppm) showed higher activity than butylated hydroxytoluene. After encapsulation in liposomes the antioxidant as well as antimicrobial activities proved to be higher than those of the same extracts in pure form

Development and Evaluation of a Phospholipid-sterol-protein Membrane Resembling System

The development and evaluation of a phospholipid-sterol-protein membrane resembling system containing beta-lactoglobulin (beta-Lg) has been studied. Liposomes have been successfully employed for the protection, controlled release and site specific delivery of sensitive molecules, such as enzymes and vitamins. beta-Lg (the major whey protein of ruminant species) was selected as model protein due to its ability to bind lipophilic molecules (i.e. phospholipids). Different techniques were used for the encapsulation studies (Differential Scanning Calorimetry, SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy). Quantitation of encapsulation was estimated by Fluorescence spectroscopy. The stability study was carried out by turbidity measurements. The shape and size of the formulations prepared were assessed by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Dynamic Light Scattering. The developed system revealed a high encapsulation percentage of beta-Lg, homogeneous and small shape and a very promising stability behavior. The characteristics obtained suggested that it is a very promising delivery system

Chemical composition and biological activity of the essential oil from the wood of Pinus heldreichii Christ. var. leucodermis

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained by steam distillation from the wood of P. heldreichii, collected from north Greece area was determined by GC and GC/MS for the first time. Forty constituents (corresponding to 96.3% of the total weight) were identified. The main components were: limonene, cembrene, longifolene, α-pinene, methyl chavicol, kaurene and cembrene A. The antimicrobial activity of the oil was evaluated against six Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and three human pathogenic fungi, using the agar dilution technique. Strong activities against most of the tested microorganisms were exhibited. Moreover, the oil showed a very promising antioxidant activity through Rancimat method. © Springer-Verlag 2012

beta-Lactoglobulin improves liposome's encapsulation properties for vitamin E delivery

Vitamin E (VE) or alpha-tocopherol is the major fat-soluble antioxidant in the human body. It is a sensitive, easily oxidized in the air, molecule, so it must be protected from pro-oxidant elements which could affect its physiological benefits. Encapsulation constitutes a promising approach to maintain VE native properties over time and increase its concentration in aqueous media. Liposomes have been studied as sustained delivery systems, being biodegradable, non-toxic and non-immunogenic. A new liposome/beta-lactoglobulin (beta-Lg) formulation has been developed and characterized as a possible stable delivery system for VE. beta-Lg has been selected due to its property to bind a variety of hydrophobic molecules. The aim of this study was the preparation of beta-Lg-liposome formulation and the determination of VE encapsulation efficiency, in order to develop a new more efficient carrier for VE in aqueous media

Pharmaceutical mushrooms: Ganoderma lucidum

This review is about Ganoderma lucidum, a very important representative of pharmaceutical mushrooms and focuses on its biological activities and therapeutic applications, that have given rise to strong scientific and commercial interest in recent years. This mushroom has been widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for more than 2000 years and its presence in ancient scripts and various forms of art reflects its significant pharmacological and nutritional value. Ganoderma lucidum contains a wide variety of bioactive components, such as polysaccharides, triterpenes, proteins, fatty acids etc., however, its bioactivity is mainly attributed to polysaccharides and triterpenes. The medicinal and pharmacological activities of the mushroom have been well investigated, using various in vivo and in vitro models, as well as clinical trials. The most important of these activities are: anticancer, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, anti-hypercholisterolemic, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiandrogenic/ estrogenic. Furthermore, the development of G. lucidum monograph in the European Pharmacopoeia, which is already in progress, confirms the pharmaceutical importance of the mushroom in Europe. Finally, its use as biofunctional food, food supplement and cosmetic is popular around the world. However, a number of challenges, such as pharmaceutical interactions and quality standards, needs to be tackled, to ensure that G. lucidum reaches the top of its financial and therapeutic potential. © 2020, Zita Medical Managent. All rights reserved