Mediterranean essential oils as precious matrix components and active ingredients of lipid nanoparticles

• Published in: International journal of pharmaceutics 2018-09, Vol.548 (1), p.217-226
• Main Authors: Carbone, C., Martins-Gomes, C., Caddeo, C., Silva, A.M., Musumeci, T., Pignatello, R., Puglisi, G., Souto, E.B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-inflammatory activity; Cytotoxicity; Lavandula x intermedia “Sumian”; NLC; Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum; Rosmarinus officinalis L; Thymus capitatus
• ISSN: 0378-5173; 1873-3476
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2018.06.064

[Display omitted] •Small homogeneous NLC were prepared using Mediterranean EOs as matrix components.•HPH allowed obtaining NLC with greater physical stability compared to PIT method.•Nanoencapsulation of EO in NLC allowed reducing their cytotoxicity on Raw cells.•Lavandula and Rosmarinus NLC showed a significative anti-inflammatory activity.•Origanum can be used as matrix component of NLC saving its antioxidant activity. Essential oils are recognized as valuable active pharmaceutical ingredients attributed to a set of biological properties, which include antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, anticancer, immune-modulatory, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. Their use in pharmaceutics is however compromised by their limited water solubility and low physicochemical stability (i.e. volatility, oxidation). In order to overcome these limitations, we aimed to develop nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) as delivery systems for Mediterranean essential oils, in particular Rosmarinus officinalis L., Lavandula x intermedia “Sumian”, Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum and Thymus capitatus essential oils, selected on the basis of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. NLC composed of Softisan (as solid lipid) have been produced by phase inversion temperature (PIT) and high-pressure homogenization (HPH), using two different emulsifiers systems. Particles have been further characterized for their mean particle size, polydispersity, zeta potential, morphology and chemical interactions. Best NLC formulations were obtained with Kolliphor/Labrafil as surfactants, and using Rosmarinus, Lavandula and Origanum as essential oils (PDI between 0.126 and 0.141, Zave  Rosmarinus ≥ Origanum.