Anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects of nanoemulsion of Origanum majorana essential oil

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to develop a natural nanoemulsion with antibacterial and anticancer properties. Materials and Methods: The chemical composition of the Origanum majorana essential oil was investigated using GC–MS analysis. Besides, the successful loading of the essential oil in the nanoemulsion was confirmed using ATR-FTIR analysis. Moreover, nanoemulsion’s anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities were investigated. Results: Terpinen-4-o1 (46.90%) was identified as the major compound in the essential oil. The nanoemulsion with a 149 ± 5 nm droplet size and zeta potential of -11 ± 1 mV was prepared. The cytotoxic effect of the nanoemulsion against A-375 human melanoma cells (IC50 = 139 µg/mL) showed significantly more potency than A-549 human lung cancer cells (IC50 = 318 µg/mL). Interestingly, growth of Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and E. coli (Gram-negative) bacteria after treatment with 4800 µg/mL of nanoemulsion were obtained at 12 ± 2 and 6 ± 1%, respectively. However, the IC50 value of nanoemulsion against E. coli (580 µg/mL) was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from S. aureus (611 µg/mL). Conclusion: A straightforward preparation method, high stability, and multi-biological effects are the main advantages of the prepared nanoemulsion. Therefore it could be considered for further investigation in vivo studies or complementary medicine

Comparing the Cytotoxic Effects of Clove Essential Oil (Syzygium Aromaticum) and its Major Compound (Eugenol) Against Some Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Background & Objective: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, especially in developed countries. Because of resistance to chemotropic drugs, the development of new green drugs is crucial. Essential oils with a broad range of bioactivities such as antioxidant and anticancer activities are great resources for research and development. In this study, anticancer effects of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) essential oil as the common medicinal plant against some human breast cancer cell lines was investigated. Materials & Methods: Components of clove essential oil were identified. The anticancer effect of the essential oil and its major ingredient (eugenol) was investigated on four human breast cancer cell lines. Results: Ninety-two percent of clove essential oil was included by eugenol (65%), trans-caryophyllene (12%), eugenol acetate (10%), caryophyllene oxide (3%), and a-humulene (2%). Both clove essential oil and eugenol showed proper effect (IC50 µg.mL-1) on targeted cell lines, MCF-7 (151.94 and 86.13), MDA-MB-175 (162.92 and 33.25), MDA-MB-231 (180.61 and 69.75), and MDA-MB-468 (211.11 and 53.91). Conclusions: Regarding the proper anticancer effects of both samples, they could be considered as anticancer agents for further investigation

Niosome-loaded antifungal drugs as an effective nanocarrier system: A mini review

Skin is an important organ of the body due to offering an accessible and convenient site for drug administration. One of the disadvantages of transdermal drug delivery is the low penetration rate of drugs through the skin. Over the past decades, nanoparticles have been used as drug delivery systems to increase therapeutic effects or reduce toxicity. Encapsulation of drugs in nanoparticulate vesicles simplifies the transports of drugs into and across the skin. Niosome nanoparticles are among these drug delivery systems, which have numerous applications in drug delivery and targeting. Niosomes are frequently used for loading drugs serving different purposes (e.g., anticancer, antiviral, and antibacterial agents). In recent years, there has been much research on the use of niosomal systems for the delivery of fungal drugs. A review of the literature investigating the advantages of niosomes in antifungal drug delivery can elucidate the efficiency and superiority of this nanocarrier over other nanocarriers

Studying the microbial, chemical, and sensory characteristics of shrimp coated with alginate sodium nanoparticles containing Zataria multiflora and Cuminum cyminum essential oils

Abstract Retardation of quality loss of seafood has been a new concept in recent years. This study's main objective was to evaluate the microbial, chemical, and sensory attributes of shrimp coated with alginate sodium nanoparticles containing Zataria multiflora and Cuminum cyminum essential oils (EOs) during refrigerated storage. At the end of storage time (15 days storage at 4°C), the pH, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) amounts in shrimps coated with the alginate nanoparticles were 7.62, 1.14 mg MDA/kg, and 117 mg/100 g which were significantly (p < .05) lower than the control groups. The count of all bacteria groups was also lower in this treatment, which was 2–2.74 Log CFU/mL on day 15 of cold storage. This combined treatment also obtained the highest sensory scores (around 7) and the lowest melanosis score (2.67) due to the effective delaying microbial and oxidation activities. Therefore, this edible coating could substantially retard microbial and chemical changes and improve the organoleptic properties of shrimp under refrigerated storage

Larvicidal Effects of Nanoliposomes Containing Clove and Cinnamon Essential Oils, Eugenol, and Cinnamaldehyde against the Main Malaria Vector, Anopheles stephensi Liston

The use of larvicides, especially in endemic regions, is recommended for malaria control. However, due to the excessive use of synthetic larvicides, resistance in mosquitoes and environmental pollution have been challenges. In the current study, nanoliposome containing clove and cinnamon essential oils and their major ingredients, i.e., eugenol and cinnamaldehyde, were first prepared; particle size and successful loading were investigated using DLS (Dynamic Light Scattering) and ATR-FTIR (Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform InfraRed) analysis. Larvicidal effects of the nanoliposomes and nonformulated samples were then investigated against Anopheles stephensi. The best-observed efficacy (LC50 5.4 μg/mL) was related to nanoliposomes containing eugenol with a particle size of 109 ± 4 nm. However, LC50 values of the other three nanoformulations were also around 10 μg/mL; all four prepared nanoformulations were thus introduced as natural larvicides for further investigations in the field conditions

Nanoemulsion and Nanogel Containing Eucalyptus globulus Essential Oil; Larvicidal Activity and Antibacterial Properties

Eucalyptus globulus essential oil (EGEO) possesses many biological effects such as antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticide properties. In the current study, the chemical composition of EGEO was first investigated using GC-MS analysis. Then, a nanoemulsion and nanogel containing EGEO (EGEO-nanoemulsion and EGEO-nanogel) were prepared. After that, the successful loading of EGEO was confirmed using ATR-FTIR analysis. EGEO-nanoemulsion and EGEO-nanogel with LC50 values of 27 and 32 μg/mL showed promising efficacies against Anopheles stephensi larvae. Besides, the efficacy of EGEO-nanogel (IC50 187 μg/mL) was significantly more potent than EGEO-nanoemulsion (IC50 3732 μg/mL) against Staphylococcus aureus. However, no significant difference was observed in the efficacy of EGEO-nanoemulsion and EGEO-nanogel against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Natural components, straightforward preparation, and proper efficacy are some of the advantages of EGEO-nanogel; it could be considered for further consideration against other pathogens and mosquito larvae

Nano-scaled emulsion and nanogel containing Mentha pulegium essential oil: cytotoxicity on human melanoma cells and effects on apoptosis regulator genes

Abstract Background Topical drug delivery using nanoemulsions and nanogels is a promising approach to treating skin disorders such as melanoma. Methods In this study, the chemical composition of Mentha pulegium essential oil with five major compounds, including pulegone (68.11%), l-menthone (8.83%), limonene (2.90%), iso-pulegone (2.69%), and iso-menthone (1.48%) was first identified using GC-MS (Gas chromatography–Mass Spectrometry) analysis. Afterward, a nano-scaled emulsion containing the essential oil with a droplet size of 7.70 ± 1 nm was prepared. Nanogel containing the essential oil was then prepared by adding (2% w/v) carboxymethyl cellulose to the nano-scaled emulsion. Moreover, the successful loading of M. pulegium essential oil in the nano-scaled emulsion and nanogel was confirmed using ATR-FTIR (Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier Transform InfraRed) analysis. Then, human A375 melanoma cells were treated with different concentrations of samples, the MTT assay evaluated cell viability, and cell apoptosis was confirmed by flow cytometry. In addition, the expression of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes, including Bax and Bcl-2, was evaluated using the qPCR (quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) technique. Results The results showed that cell viability was reduced by 90 and 45% after treatment with 300 μg/mL of the nanogel and nano-scaled emulsion. As confirmed by flow cytometry, this effect was mediated by apoptosis. Furthermore, gene expression analysis showed up-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of Bcl-2 genes. Therefore, the prepared nanogel, with high efficacy, could be considered a potent anticancer agent for supplementary medicine and in vivo research

Nanoliposomes containing three essential oils from the Artemisia genus as effective larvicides against Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi

Abstract Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi have challenged human health by transmitting several infectious disease agents, such as malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever. Larvicides, especially in endemic regions, is an effective approach to the control of mosquito-borne diseases. In this study, the composition of three essential oil from the Artemisia L. family was analyzed by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry. Afterward, nanoliposomes containing essential oils of A. annua, A. dracunculus, and A. sieberi with particle sizes of 137 ± 5, 151 ± 6, and 92 ± 5 nm were prepared. Besides, their zeta potential values were obtained at 32 ± 0.5, 32 ± 0.6, and 43 ± 1.7 mV. ATR-FTIR analysis (Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform InfraRed) confirmed the successful loading of the essential oils. Moreover, The LC50 values of nanoliposomes against Ae. aegypti larvae were 34, 151, and 197 µg/mL. These values for An.stephensi were obtained as 23 and 90, and 140 µg/mL, respectively. The results revealed that nanoliposomes containing A. dracunculus exerted the highest potential larvicidal effect against Ae. aegypti and An. stephensi, which can be considered against other mosquitoes

Nanogels Containing Foeniculum vulgare Mill. and Mentha piperita L. Essential Oils: Mosquitoes’ Repellent Activity and Antibacterial Effect

Foeniculum vulgare Mill. and Mentha piperita L. are two common medicinally important plants with a wide range of biological activities such as insecticide and antibacterial effects. In this study, the chemical composition of their essential oils was investigated using GC-MS analysis. After that, their nanoemulsions were prepared; optimum samples with droplet sizes of 74 ± 7 and 136 ± 5 nm were gelified. The viscosity of the prepared nanogels and the successful loading of the essential oil in them were investigated. The efficacy of the nanogel containing M. piperita essential oil as a repellent and antibacterial agent was more potent than the nanogel containing F. vulgare essential oil. Its completely protected time against Anopheles stephensi, the main malaria mosquito vector, was 120 ± 8 min. Moreover, the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus after treatment with 5000 µg/mL of nanogel containing M. piperita essential oil was reduced by 100 and 65%, respectively. Considering natural constituents, a straightforward preparation method, and high efficacy, the nanogel containing M. piperita essential oil could be introduced for further investigation against other mosquitoes and bacterial species