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Pharmaceutics
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Essential Oils in Pharmaceutical Products, 2nd Edition
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Essential Oils in Pharmaceutical Products, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Physical Pharmacy and Formulation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 July 2024) | Viewed by 15697

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Aurica P. Chiriac

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Guest Editor
“Petru Poni” Macromolecular Chemistry Institute, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Interests: polymers synthesis, including by nonconventional methods; chemical modifications; hydrogels; polymeric matrices for bioapplications; nanoparticles; nanotechnology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alina Gabriela Rusu

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Guest Editor
"Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Iasi, Romania
Interests: hydrogels; modified polysaccharides; nanogels; drug delivery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The importance of using essential oils (EOs) in various fields not only derives from the need to sustain bio-based compounds and decrease the dependence on and replace synthetic products with others of natural origin; it is especially due to the fact that these products have been tested and their effect and efficacy have been confirmed in medicine, pharmaceutical sciences, biology, agronomy, etc., with evidence from the oldest times. At present, the growing interest in the use of these compounds is a result of the new and multiple possibilities to protect these structures from external factors (e.g., light, oxygen, temperature) offered by both the innovative matrices created but also by the new incorporation techniques that can further ensure the manifestation of EOs’ biochemical and pharmacological activities. Finally, we must mention the increased capacity to characterize the products that include EOs, and to evaluate the activity and nature of their properties resulting from the presence of EOs in their composition. In this context, the aim of this Special Issue on “Essential Oils in Formulations for Specific Therapies and Products” is to gather papers addressing state-of-the-art trends, future directions, and challenges in the development of formulations based on essential oils, their carriers, and their applicability and uses in various fields due to the chemical composition of the essential oils and correlated effects. Original research papers, communications, review articles, and opinions are welcome.

Dr. Aurica P. Chiriac
Dr. Alina Gabriela Rusu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • EOs as active chemicals
  • EOs' biological activity (antimicrobial, insecticidal, herbicidal, bactericidal, and fungicidal properties)
  • EOs encapsulation procedures
  • EOs for improving human health
  • EOs in active packaging products
  • polymeric networks for EOs encapsulation

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 827 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Stability of Lavandula x intermedia Essential Oil Nanoemulsions: Can the Addition of the Ripening Inhibitor Impact the Biocidal Activity of the Nanoformulations?
by Stefania Petralito, Stefania Garzoli, Elisa Ovidi, Valentina Laghezza Masci, Jordan Trilli, Barbara Bigi, Laura Di Muzio, Vito Cosimo Carriero, Maria Antonietta Casadei and Patrizia Paolicelli
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(1), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16010108 - 14 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1303
Abstract
In this work, Lavandula x intermedia essential oil (LEO) was encapsulated in lipid-based nanoemulsions (NanoLEO) using the solvent-displacement technique. In order to preserve the colloidal stability of the formulation, LEO was appropriately doped with the incorporation of different levels of a water-insoluble oil [...] Read more.
In this work, Lavandula x intermedia essential oil (LEO) was encapsulated in lipid-based nanoemulsions (NanoLEO) using the solvent-displacement technique. In order to preserve the colloidal stability of the formulation, LEO was appropriately doped with the incorporation of different levels of a water-insoluble oil used as a ripening inhibitor. All the nanoemulsion samples were evaluated in terms of the impact of the water-insoluble oil on the nanoemulsion formation, physical–chemical properties, and antibacterial effectiveness against E. coli (Gram-negative) and B. cereus (Gram-positive). The presence of the inert oil added benefits to the formulations in terms of appearance, colloidal stability, and loss of volatile components. However, the antimicrobial activity of the nanoemulsions dramatically decreased with the ripening inhibitor addition, probably because it hampered the internalization of the antimicrobial components of LEO within the bacterial cell membranes, thus nullifying the delivery ability of the nanoemulsion formulation. On the contrary, the undoped NanoLEO formulation showed unaltered antibacterial activity in both E. coli and B. cereus up to 40 weeks from the preparation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils in Pharmaceutical Products, 2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 8753 KiB  
Article
Bioactive Composite Cryogels Based on Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) and a Polymacrolactone as Tissue Engineering Scaffolds: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies
by Bianca-Elena-Beatrice Crețu, Gianina Dodi, Ioannis Gardikiotis, Vera Balan, Isabella Nacu, Iuliana Stoica, Elena Stoleru, Alina Gabriela Rusu, Alina Ghilan, Loredana Elena Nita and Aurica P. Chiriac
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(12), 2730; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15122730 - 5 Dec 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1381
Abstract
In light of the increasing resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to the action of antibiotics, essential oils extracted from plants with therapeutic activity provide a significant alternative to obtaining dressings for the treatment of skin wounds. The encapsulation of essential oils in an amphiphilic [...] Read more.
In light of the increasing resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to the action of antibiotics, essential oils extracted from plants with therapeutic activity provide a significant alternative to obtaining dressings for the treatment of skin wounds. The encapsulation of essential oils in an amphiphilic gel network allows better dispersion and preservation of hydrophobic bioactive substances while promoting their prolonged release. In this study, we focused on the development of a poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/poly (ethylene brassylate-co-squaric acid) (PEBSA) platform embedded with thymol (Thy), and α-tocopherol (α-Tcp) as a co-drug structure with prospective use for the treatment and healing of skin wounds. The new complex bioactive system was prepared through repeated freeze–thaw processes. The influence of the composition on surface topography, hydrophilic/hydrophobic character, and in vitro interaction with simulated body fluids was evidenced. BALB/3T3 fibroblast cell culture demonstrated the cryogel scaffolds’ cytocompatibility. Tests on Wistar rats confirmed their biocompatibility, integration with host tissue, and the absence of inflammatory processes. The bioactive compound significantly enhanced the healing process of full-thickness excision wounds in a rat model. Further investigations on in vivo infection models would assess the potential of the PVA/PEBSA platform with dual bioactive activity for clinical antimicrobial and wound healing therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils in Pharmaceutical Products, 2nd Edition)
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25 pages, 10451 KiB  
Article
Fish Scale Gelatin Nanofibers with Helichrysum italicum and Lavandula latifolia Essential Oils for Bioactive Wound-Healing Dressings
by Carmen Gaidau, Maria Râpă, Maria Stanca, Mariana-Luiza Tanase, Laura Olariu, Rodica Roxana Constantinescu, Andrada Lazea-Stoyanova, Cosmin-Andrei Alexe and Madalina Tudorache
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(12), 2692; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15122692 - 28 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1677
Abstract
Essential oils are valuable alternatives to synthetic antibiotics that have the potential to avoid the pathogen resistance side effects generated by leather. Helichrysum italicum and Lavandula latifolia essential oils combined with fish scale gelatin were electrospun using a coaxial technique to design new [...] Read more.
Essential oils are valuable alternatives to synthetic antibiotics that have the potential to avoid the pathogen resistance side effects generated by leather. Helichrysum italicum and Lavandula latifolia essential oils combined with fish scale gelatin were electrospun using a coaxial technique to design new bioactive materials for skin wound dressings fabrication. Fish scale gelatins were extracted from carp fish scales using two variants of the same method, with and without ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Both variants showed very good electrospinning properties when dissolved in acetic acid solvent. Fish scale gelatin nanofibers with Helichrysum italicum and Lavandula latifolia essential oil emulsions ensured low microbial load (under 100 CFU/g of total number of aerobic microorganisms and total number of yeasts and filamentous fungi) and the absence of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Escherichia coli ATCC 10536, and Candida albicans ATCC 1023 as compared to fish scale gelatin without essential oils, which recommends them for pharmaceutical or topical applications. A scratch-test performed on human dermal fibroblasts proved that the biomaterials contributing to the wound healing process included fish scale gelatin nanofibers without EDTA (0.5% and 1%), fish scale gelatin nanofibers without EDTA and Lavandula latifolia essential oil emulsion (1%), fish scale gelatin nanofibers with EDTA (0.6%), and fish scale gelatin nanofibers with EDTA with Helichrysum italicum essential oil emulsion (1% and 2%). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils in Pharmaceutical Products, 2nd Edition)
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25 pages, 22564 KiB  
Article
Antibacterial Activity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Loaded with Essential Oils
by Ludmila Motelica, Bogdan-Stefan Vasile, Anton Ficai, Adrian-Vasile Surdu, Denisa Ficai, Ovidiu-Cristian Oprea, Ecaterina Andronescu, Gabriel Mustățea, Elena Loredana Ungureanu and Alina Alexandra Dobre
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(10), 2470; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15102470 - 15 Oct 2023
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 3159
Abstract
One major problem with the overuse of antibiotics is that the microorganisms acquire resistance; thus the dose must be increased unsustainably. To overcome this problem, researchers from around the world are actively investigating new types of antimicrobials. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) have [...] Read more.
One major problem with the overuse of antibiotics is that the microorganisms acquire resistance; thus the dose must be increased unsustainably. To overcome this problem, researchers from around the world are actively investigating new types of antimicrobials. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) have been proven to exhibit strong antimicrobial effects; moreover, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) considers ZnO as GRAS (generally recognized as safe). Many essential oils have antimicrobial activity and their components do not generate resistance over time. One of the drawbacks is the high volatility of some components, which diminishes the antimicrobial action as they are eliminated. The combination of ZnO NPs and essential oils can synergistically produce a stronger antimicrobial effect, and some of the volatile compounds can be retained on the nanoparticles’ surface, ensuring a better-lasting antimicrobial effect. The samples were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and thermal analysis (TG-DSC) coupled with analysis of evolved gases using FTIR. The ZnO NPs, with a size of ~35 nm, exhibited a loading between 1.44% and 15.62%—the lower values were specific for limonene-containing oils (e.g., orange, grapefruit, bergamot, or limette), while high values were obtained from cinnamon, minzol, thyme, citronella, and lavender oils—highlighting differences among non-polar terpenes and alcohol or aldehyde derivatives. The antibacterial assay indicated the existence of a synergic action among components and a high dependency on the percentage of loaded oil. Loaded nanoparticles offer immense potential for the development of materials with specific applications, such as wound dressings or food packaging. These nanoparticles can be utilized in scenarios where burst delivery is desired or when prolonged antibacterial activity is sought. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils in Pharmaceutical Products, 2nd Edition)
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17 pages, 4242 KiB  
Article
Abies holophylla Leaf Essential Oil Alleviates Allergic Rhinitis Based on Network Pharmacology
by Jae Yoon Chung, Nayoung Park, Mi Hye Kim and Woong Mo Yang
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(4), 1195; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15041195 - 9 Apr 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2432
Abstract
Abies holophylla is an evergreen coniferous species that has been widely used for treating pulmonary diseases and colds. Previous research has demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effect of Abies species and the anti-asthmatic activities of Abies holophylla leaf essential oil (AEO). As asthma and allergic [...] Read more.
Abies holophylla is an evergreen coniferous species that has been widely used for treating pulmonary diseases and colds. Previous research has demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effect of Abies species and the anti-asthmatic activities of Abies holophylla leaf essential oil (AEO). As asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) share pathophysiology and pharmacotherapeutic interventions, AEO inhalation can also ameliorate upper respiratory allergic diseases. This study explored the protective effects of AEO on AR with network pharmacological pathway prediction. The potential target pathways of AEO were analyzed by a network pharmacological approach. The BALB/c mice were sensitized by ovalbumin (OVA) and 10 μm particular matter (PM10) to induce allergic rhinitis. Aerosolized AEO 0.0003% and 0.03% were delivered by nebulizer for 5 min a day, 3 times a week for 7 weeks. Nasal symptoms (sneezing and rubbing), histopathological changes in nasal tissues, serum IgE, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) expressions on nasal tissues were analyzed. After AR induction with OVA+PM10 and inhalation of AEO 0.0003% and 0.03% treatment, AEO significantly decreased allergic symptoms (sneezing and rubbing), hyperplasia of nasal epithelial thickness, goblet cell counts, and serum IgE level. The network analysis demonstrated that the possible molecular mechanism of AEO is highly associated with the IL-17 signaling pathway and tight junction. The target pathway of AEO was investigated in RPMI 2650 nasal epithelial cells. Treatment of AEO on PM10-treated nasal epithelial cells significantly reduced the production of inflammatory mediators related to the IL-17 signaling pathway, NF-κB, and the MAPK signaling pathway and prevented the reduction in TJ-related factors. When taken together, AEO inhalation may be considered as a potential treatment for AR by alleviating nasal inflammation and recovering the tight junction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils in Pharmaceutical Products, 2nd Edition)
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17 pages, 2380 KiB  
Article
Nutmeg Essential Oil, Red Clover, and Liquorice Extracts Microencapsulation Method Selection for the Release of Active Compounds from Gel Tablets of Different Bases
by Jurga Andreja Kazlauskaite, Inga Matulyte, Mindaugas Marksa and Jurga Bernatoniene
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(3), 949; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15030949 - 15 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2285
Abstract
The current study presents the most suitable method for encapsulating nutmeg essential oil with liquorice and red clover. Two widely used methods, spray-drying and freeze-drying, were employed to find the most suitable for essential oil volatile compounds’ protection. Results showed that freeze-dried capsules [...] Read more.
The current study presents the most suitable method for encapsulating nutmeg essential oil with liquorice and red clover. Two widely used methods, spray-drying and freeze-drying, were employed to find the most suitable for essential oil volatile compounds’ protection. Results showed that freeze-dried capsules (LM) had a higher yield (85.34%) compared to the exact formulation of spray-dried microcapsules (SDM)—45.12%. All the antioxidant and total phenolic compounds’ results obtained with the LM sample were significantly higher compared with SDM. LM microcapsules were incorporated in two different bases with no additional sugar (gelatin and pectin) for targeted release. Pectin tablets had firmer and harder texture properties, while gelatin tablets had a more elastic texture. There was a significant impact on texture changes caused by microcapsules. Microencapsulated essential oil with extracts can be used alone or in a gel base (pectin or gelatin, depending on user preferences). It could be an effective product to protect the active volatile compounds and regulate the release of active compounds and give a pleasant taste. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils in Pharmaceutical Products, 2nd Edition)
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20 pages, 4375 KiB  
Article
Application of Antiviral, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Trifolium pratense L. Extracts and Myristica fragrans Houtt. Essential Oil in Microcapsules
by Jurga Andreja Kazlauskaite, Inga Matulyte, Mindaugas Marksa, Raimundas Lelesius, Alvydas Pavilonis and Jurga Bernatoniene
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(2), 464; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15020464 - 30 Jan 2023
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2564
Abstract
Viruses and bacteria can disrupt normal human functions; therefore, ways to use the beneficial properties of plants to promote health are constantly being researched. Plant materials that accumulate biologically active compounds can be used to create a new pharmaceutical form. This study aimed [...] Read more.
Viruses and bacteria can disrupt normal human functions; therefore, ways to use the beneficial properties of plants to promote health are constantly being researched. Plant materials that accumulate biologically active compounds can be used to create a new pharmaceutical form. This study aimed to investigate the biological activity of selected plant extracts and essential oil and to produce microcapsules. The main compounds in extracts and essential oil were determined using chromatographic methods, antioxidant activity was evaluated spectrophotometrically, antimicrobial activity was assessed by monitoring the growth of nine pathogens, and the antiviral effect on infected bird cells with coronavirus was evaluated. Trifolium pratense L. extract had the highest antioxidant (26.27 ± 0.31 and 638.55 ± 9.14 µg TE/g dw by the DPPH and ABTS methods, respectively) and antiviral activity (56 times decreased titre of virus). Liquorice extract expressed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive pathogens and the highest antioxidant activity using the FRAP method (675.71 ± 4.61 mg FS/g dw). Emulsion stability depended on excipients and their amount. Microcapsules with extracts and essential oil were 1.87 mm in diameter, and their diameter after swelling was increased more than two times in intestinal media, while less than 0.5 times in gastric media. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils in Pharmaceutical Products, 2nd Edition)
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