Hélène Greige-Gerges

Preparation and characterization of clove essential oil-loaded liposomes

In this study, suitable formulations of natural soybean phospholipid vesicles were developed to improve the stability of clove essential oil and its main component, eugenol. Using an ethanol injection method, saturated (Phospholipon 80H, Phospholipon 90H) and unsaturated soybean (Lipoid S100) phospholipids, in combination with cholesterol, were used to prepare liposomes at various eugenol and clove essential oil concentrations. Liposomal batches were characterized and compared for their size, polydispersity index, Zeta potential, loading rate, encapsulation efficiency and morphology. The liposomes were tested for their stability after storing them for 2 months at 4°C by monitoring changes in their mean size, polydispersity index and encapsulation efficiency (EE) values. It was found that liposomes exhibited nanometric oligolamellar and spherical shaped vesicles and protected eugenol from degradation induced by UV exposure; they also maintained the DPPH-scavenging activity of free eugenol. Liposomes constitute a suitable system for encapsulation of volatile unstable essential oil constituents.

Essential oils encapsulated in liposomes: a review

Abstract In the recent years there has been an increased interest toward the biological activities of essential oils. However, essential oils are unstable and susceptible to degradation in the presence of oxygen, light and temperature. So, attempts have been made to preserve them through encapsulation in various colloidal systems such as microcapsules, microspheres, nanoemulsions and liposomes. This review focuses specifically on encapsulation of essential oils into liposomes. First, we present the techniques used to prepare liposomes encapsulating essential oils. The effects of essential oils and other factors on liposome characteristics such as size, encapsulation efficiency and thermal behavior of lipid bilayers are then discussed. The composition of lipid vesicles membrane, especially the type of phospholipids, cholesterol content, the molar ratio of essential oils to lipids, the preparation method and the kind of essential oil may affect the liposome size and the encapsulation efficiency. Several essential oils can decrease the size of liposomes, homogenize the liposomal dispersions, increase the fluidity and reduce the oxidation of the lipid bilayer. Moreover, liposomes can protect the fluidity of essential oils and are stable at 4–5 °C for 6 months at least. The applications of liposomes incorporating essential oils are also summarized in this review. Liposomes encapsulating essential oils are promising agents that can be used to increase the anti-microbial activity of the essential oils, to study the effect of essential oils on cell membranes, and to provide alternative therapeutic agents to treat several diseases.

Complexation of estragole as pure compound and as main component of basil and tarragon essential oils with cyclodextrins

Inclusion complexes of estragole (ES) as pure compound and as main component of basil and tarragon essential oils (EOs) with α-cyclodextrin (α-CD), β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD), randomly methylated-β-cyclodextrin (RAMEB), a low methylated-β-cyclodextrin (CRYSMEB) and γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) were characterized. Formation constants (Kf) of the complexes were determined in aqueous solution by nonlinear regression analysis using static headspace gas chromatography (SH-GC) and UV-visible spectroscopy. Solid inclusion complexes were prepared by the freeze-drying method for different CD:ES molar ratios and were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Inclusion complexes formation allowed the controlled release of ES. Moreover, increased DPPH radical scavenging activity and photostability of ES and ES containing EOs (ESEOs) were observed in the presence of CDs. These findings suggest that encapsulation with CDs could be an efficient tool to improve the use of ES and ESEOs in aromatherapy, cosmetic and food fields.

Cyclodextrin, an efficient tool for trans-anethole encapsulation: chromatographic, spectroscopic, thermal and structural studies.

Inclusion complexes of trans-anethole (AN) with α-cyclodextrin (α-CD), β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD), randomly methylated-β-cyclodextrin (RAMEB) and a low methylated-β-cyclodextrin (CRYSMEB) were investigated in aqueous solution by static headspace gas chromatography (SH-GC), phase solubility study, UV-Visible, (1)H NMR and (2D) ROESY NMR spectroscopies. The obtained results indicated the formation of 1:1 inclusion complex for all the studied CDs. Water solubility of AN was significantly improved upon complexation with CDs as demonstrated by phase solubility and retention studies. Solid inclusion complexes were prepared by the freeze-drying method and the encapsulation of AN was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies. Moreover, the degradation of AN, induced by UVC irradiation, was markedly reduced by the formation of CD inclusion complexes. Results showed that encapsulation in CDs was an efficient way to increase solubility and stability of AN, thereby making it valuable for food or pharmaceutical applications.

Effect of cyclodextrin complexation on phenylpropanoids' solubility and antioxidant activity.

Summary The complexation abilities of five cyclodextrins (CDs) with seven phenylpropanoids (PPs) were evaluated by UV–visible spectroscopy, phase solubility studies and molecular modeling. Formation constants (K f), complexation efficiency (CE), PP:CD molar ratio, increase in formulation bulk and complexation energy were assessed. All complexes exhibited a 1:1 stoichiometry but their stability was influenced by the nature and the position of the phenyl ring substituents. A relationship between the intrinsic solubility of guests (S 0) and the solubilizing potential of CD was proposed. Molecular modeling was used to investigate the complementarities between host and guest. Finally, the antioxidant activity of encapsulated PPs was evaluated by scavenging of the stable DPPH radical.

Investigation of monoterpenes complexation with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin

In this study, we investigated the inclusion complexation of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and eight monoterpenes (eucalyptol, geraniol, limonene, linalool, α-pinene, β-pinene, pulegone, and thymol) in aqueous solution and solid state. The formation constants (Kf) of inclusion complexes were determined using fluorescence spectroscopy and static headspace gas chromatography. The results indicated the formation of 1:1 inclusion complexes between HP-β-CD and all studied guests. A linear relationship was found between Kf values and the hydrophobic character of the monoterpenes expressed as logP. Solid complexes were prepared by the freeze-drying method in a 1:1 (HP-β-CD:monoterpene) molar ratio. Physicochemical characterization of solid inclusion complexes was carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Finally, the encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of HP-β-CD was determined using HPLC analysis. Noticeable difference in the EE% was observed between monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenes. These results suggested that complexation with HP-β-CD could be a promising strategy to enlarge the application of monoterpenes in cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries.

Liposomes incorporating cyclodextrin–drug inclusion complexes: Current state of knowledge

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligosaccharides, consisting of glucopyranose units, which are able to form host-guest inclusion complexes with lipophilic molecules. The ability of CD to increase drug solubility may be used to increase drug entrapment in the aqueous compartment of liposomes and liposomes can protect CD/drug inclusion complexes until drug release. Liposomes are phospholipid vesicles composed of lipid bilayers enclosing one or more aqueous compartments. They have been widely used as safe and effective carriers for both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. However, lipophilic drugs incorporated in the membrane bilayers can be rapidly released, which limits the effectiveness of this drug delivery system. The coupling of both delivery systems by encapsulating CD/drug inclusion complex into liposomes is proposed to circumvent the drawbacks of each separate system. Here, we review the literature regarding the encapsulation of CD/drug inclusion complex into conventional, deformable and double loaded liposomes. The review highlights the characteristics of these systems and presents the advantages and disadvantages of each one.

Solubility, photostability and antifungal activity of phenylpropanoids encapsulated in cyclodextrins

Effects of the encapsulation in cyclodextrins (CDs) on the solubility, photostability and antifungal activities of some phenylpropanoids (PPs) were investigated. Solubility experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of CDs on PPs aqueous solubility. Loading capacities and encapsulation efficiencies of freeze-dried inclusion complexes were determined. Moreover, photostability assays for both inclusion complexes in solution and solid state were performed. Finally, two of the most widespread phytopathogenic fungi, Fusarium oxysporum and Botrytis cinerea, were chosen to examine the antifungal activity of free and encapsulated PPs. Results showed that encapsulation in CDs significantly increased the solubility and photostability of studied PPs (by 2 to 17-fold and 2 to 44-fold, respectively). Free PPs revealed remarkable antifungal properties with isoeugenol showing the lowest half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of mycelium growth and spore germination inhibition. Encapsulated PPs, despite their reduced antifungal activity, could be helpful to solve drawbacks such as solubility and stability.

p-Hydroxybenzoate esters metabolism in MCF7 breast cancer cells

Parabens are among the most frequently used preservatives to inhibit microbial growth and extend the shelf life of a range of consumer products. The objective of the present study was to gain insight into the metabolism of parabens in breast cancer cells (MCF7) since they have demonstrated estrogenic activity towards these cells and have been detected in breast cancer tissues. The toxicity of parabens to MCF7 cells was determined using MTT assays. Hydrolysis of methyl-, butyl and benzyl-paraben to p-hydroxybenzoic acid was analyzed in cultured MCF7 cells and in cellular homogenates. Glucuronidation and sulfoconjugation were studied in MCF7 homogenates, and parabens were analyzed by HPLC. Methyl-paraben was shown to be far less toxic than butyl and benzyl-paraben. Parabens were completely stable in MCF7 homogenates whereas p-nitrophenyl acetate, a substrate type, underwent hydrolysis. MCF7 cell homogenates did not express glucuronidation and sulfoconjugation activities toward parabens. The higher stability of parabens may explain their accumulation in breast cancer tissue as previously reported in the literature.

Drug-in-cyclodextrin-in-liposomes as a carrier system for volatile essential oil components: Application to anethole

A combined approach based on cyclodextrin/drug inclusion complex formation and loading into liposomes was applied to improve the effectiveness of liposome loading with essential oils. Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin/ANE (HP-β-CD/ANE) inclusion complexes were prepared and encapsulated into liposomes (ACL). ANE-double-loaded liposomes (ACL2) were obtained with the HP-β-CD/ANE complex in the aqueous phase and ANE in the organic phase. Liposomes were prepared from saturated (Phospholipon 90H) or unsaturated (Lipoid S100) phospholipids and characterized for size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, morphology, loading rate (LR) and photo- and storage stabilities. All liposome batches were nanometric oligolamellar-type vesicles. Compared to ANE-loaded liposomes, ACL-90H, ACL2-90H and ACL2-S100 displayed significantly increased ANE LR, with ACL2-S100 exhibiting the highest LR. All formulations provided ANE photoprotection, were physically stable after 15months of storage at 4°C (with the exception of ACL2-S100), and retained more than 25% of the ANE initially present in the liposome suspensions.