Essential Oil-Loaded NLC for Potential Intranasal Administration.

Angela Bonaccorso,Rosario Pignatello,Antonio Serra,Claudia Carbone,Cinzia Cimino,Barbara Tomasello,Teresa Musumeci,Giovanni Puglisi,Daniela Erminia Manno

doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics13081166

Angela Bonaccorso, Rosario Pignatello + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13081166

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Journal: Pharmaceutics	Publication Date: Jul 28, 2021
Citations: 13	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Catania, University of Salento

Abstract

Complementary and alternative medicines represent an interesting field of research on which worldwide academics are focusing many efforts. In particular, the possibility to exploit pharmaceutical technology strategies, such as the nanoencapsulation, for the delivery of essential oils is emerging as a promising strategy not only in Italy but also all over the world. The aim of this work was the development of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for the delivery of essential oils (Lavandula, Mentha, and Rosmarinus) by intranasal administration, an interesting topic in which Italian contributions have recently increased. Essential oil-loaded NLC, projected as a possible add-on strategy in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, were characterized in comparison to control formulations prepared with Tegosoft CT and Neem oil. Homogeneous (polydispersity index, PDI < 0.2) nanoparticles with a small size (<200 nm) and good stability were obtained. Morphological and physical-chemical studies showed the formation of different structures depending on the nature of the liquid oil component. In particular, NLC prepared with Lavandula or Rosmarinus showed the formation of a more ordered structure with higher cytocompatibility on two cell lines, murine and human fibroblasts. Taken together, our preliminary results show that optimized positively charged NLC containing Lavandula or Rosmarinus can be proposed as a potential add-on strategy in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases through intranasal administration, due to the well-known beneficial effects of essential oils and the mucoadhesive properties of NLC.

Highlights

Essential oils (EOs) are important natural mixtures produced by aromatic plants during their secondary metabolism, characterized by the presence of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, with other important aliphatic compounds, including terpenoids, alcohols, ethers, esters, ketones, and aldehydes [1]
EO-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for intranasal administration were produced by the PIT method, previously reported as a green technology that allows reducing the amount of surfactants and energy required [40]
photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) results (Figure 1) show that NLC prepared with Lavandula, Mentha, or Rosmarinus showed the presence of small-sized nanoparticles of about 200 nm (Figure 1), adequate for the intranasal route [25]

Summary

Introduction

Essential oils (EOs) are important natural mixtures produced by aromatic plants during their secondary metabolism, characterized by the presence of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, with other important aliphatic compounds, including terpenoids, alcohols, ethers, esters, ketones, and aldehydes [1]. Their quali-quantitative composition is influenced by several factors, including the variety of the plant, growing place (in particular, environment, climate, and eventual stress suffered), nutrition and fertilizers used, and extraction method. In the evening, aiming to induce relaxation through the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, a mixture constituted of

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