Microneedle-mediated delivery of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin-encapsulated Angelica sinensis (Danggui) essential oil for acne treatment: efficacy and mechanisms.

This study investigated the insecticidal potential of Citrus sinensis (L.) essential oil derived from orange peels, its emulsifiable concentrate (EC), and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles alone and in combination with C. sinensis oil against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). GC/MS analysis of orange peel oil identified 31 compounds, with limonene (45.8%), α-pinene (16.38%), β-pinene (10.49), and γ-terpinene (10.01%) being the most prevalent. EC formulation of C. sinensis oil exhibited good emulsion stability and foam formation, with a separation layer of 1 mL and foam formation of 2 mL. Characterizations of prepared nanoparticles revealed mean sizes of 433.2 nm for zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and 458.4 nm for ZnO-oil nanoparticles. Toxicity assays demonstrated that both C. sinensis essential oil and its EC formulation exhibited insecticidal activity against T. castaneum, with LC50 values of 0.246 and 0.215 g/kg, respectively. ZnO with essential oil NPs formulation achieved 100% mortality at lower concentrations and shorter exposure times than ZnO NPs alone or bulk ZnO. These findings suggest that C. sinensis waste, specifically the peel, can be effectively utilized as a source of natural insecticides. The combination of essential oil and ZnO nanoparticles, showcasing synergistic effects, presents a promising approach for developing sustainable and environmentally friendly pest control solutions for stored grains.

Botanical resources with great diversity in medicinal and aromatic plants are a rich and reliable source for finding insect repellents of plant origin, which are widely popular among today's consumers. Although some herbal-based repellents have been proven comparable to or even better than synthetics, commercially available natural repellents generally tend to be expensive, with short-lived effectiveness. This critical flaw leads to ongoing research for new and effective repellents, which provide longer protection against vector and nuisance-biting insects, while remaining safe, user friendly, and reasonably priced. This study aimed to evaluate the repellent activity of plant-derived products against the primary dengue vector, Aedes aegypti, by following the human bait technique of World Health Organization guidelines. Preliminary laboratory screening tests for repellency of 33 plant species clearly demonstrated Angelica sinensis as the most effective repellent from each kind of extracted product, with its essential oil and ethanolic extract having median complete protection times of 7.0 h (6.0-7.5) and 2.5 h (2.0-2.5), respectively. Due to its low yield (0.02 %), pungent smell, and little cause of irritation, A. sinensis essential oil did not qualify as a candidate for further repellent assessment. However, subsequent extractions of A. sinensis with different organic solvents of increasing polarity provided four extractants with varying degrees of repellency against A. aegypti. The hexane extract of A. sinensis provided excellent repellency, with a median complete protection time of 7.5 h (6.5-8.5), which was longer than that of ethanol (2.5, 2.0-2.5 h), acetone (1.75, 0.5-2.5 h), and methanol extracts (0.5, 0-1.0 h). By being the most effective product, A. sinensis hexane extract gave significant protection comparable to that of its essential oil and the standard synthetic repellent, N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET: 6.25, 5.0-6.5 h). Qualitative gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated the presence of phthalides and phthalates, including 3-N-butylphthalide, butylidenephthalide, ligustilide, and di-iso-octyl phthalate, as the principal constituents in A. sinensis products. The success of A. sinensis products, particularly that of hexane extract, has proved their potential as bioactive candidates in the next step for developing and producing alternative natural repellents with commercial aspirations.

Biopesticides derived from plants have recently received increasing interest as an alternative to conventional chemicals suitable for integrated pest management and organic farming. In this study, Citrus sinensis (Osbeck) essential oil was tested for its potential for wheat protection against Oulema melanopus (L.). The chemical composition of the essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Twenty-four compounds were identified in the oil among which d-limonene was a predominant component, followed by myrcene, α-pinene, linalool, sabinene, decanal, and other minor components. Direct contact toxicity assay showed the effectiveness of the essential oil against O. melanopus larvae causing the mortality of 85% during 48 hours. The persistence study revealed high dissipation rate of the oil from treated plants, whereas concentrations lower than 0.01 g/kg were detected by GC-MS 5 min after the application of the oil, suggesting its environmental and food safety. These results, together with previous literature reports reviewed in this study, indicate the great potential of the C. sinensis essential oil for future use in crop protection against insect pests.

In different fields, including health, there is a significant number of reported uses for essential oils of plants and spices. The essential oil of the dried fruit of the clove, Syzygium aromaticum, has been widely studied and has been attributed an important effect on a wide variety of microorganisms that affect humans. This study aimed to analyze the action of the essential oil extracted from the dried fruit of the clove on the bacteria present in an acne lesion such as Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus sub Hominis and on Streptococcus pyogenes present in problems such as pharyngotonsillitis. For this, the essential oil of the clove dried fruits was extracted by steam distillation, after determining that it is the technique that provides the highest extraction yield. The extracted essential oil was characterized by liquid chemistry tests and instrumental analysis showing eugenol as the main component. In vitro sensitivity studies were carried out on bacteria isolated from an active lesion of acne and Streptococcus pyogenes against the extracted essential oil, observing in both cases that the microorganisms were sensitive. It is important to note that Propionibacterium acnes could not be isolated, but the essential oil could be evaluated in other bacteria present in acne. The extracted essential oil was incorporated into a pharmaceutical formulation for topical use and its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects were analyzed qualitatively in volunteers with some type of skin lesion, which showed an important positive result.

Variety of bioactivities has been associated with ligustilide present in root of Angelica sinensis, and predominantly used for the treatment of irregular menstrual cycles and premenstrual syndrome. Recent pharmacological studies showed that medicinal plants containing ligustilide, have anti-inflammatory effects and contribute to the improvement of cognitive functions, alleviate brain damage, inhibit tumor necrosis factor of some cell lines, and have nephron-protective effects and neuroprotective activity. In this work, quantification of ligustilide using quantitative 1H NMR (qHNMR) in sealed tubes was performed. Four plant species were investigated: A. sinensis, Ligusticum porteri, Ligusticum striatum, andLigusticum sinense. Modified supercritical CO2 extraction of essential oil from root of four investigated species, was performed. qHNMR spectroscopy showed following percentage of ligustilide: L. porteri essential oil 3.74 (%); L. sinense essential oil 1.16 (%); L. striatum essential oil 6.61 (%) and A. sinensis essential oil 14.56 (%). The highest percentage of oil was obtained from the root of L. porteri but the highest percentage of ligustilide was obtained from A. sinensis essential oil.

In the present study, the interactions of essential oil (EO) of Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck with two antibiotics (ampicillin and fluconazole), which are commonly used in the treatment of infections, were investigated. C. sinensis was hydrodistilled and the chemical composition of the obtained essential oil was identified by GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) analyses. The most representative compound of all obtained 18 compounds was d-limonene followed by the other major components such as linalool, α-terpineol, β-myrcene. The MICs (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) of C. sinensis essential oil were 152.06 mg/mL, 20 mg/mL, 54.41 mg/mL and the IZs (Inhibition Zone) were noted as 3.4 mm, 3.3 mm, 8.3 mm for E. coli, S. aureus for C. albicans, respectively. Antimicrobial performance of antibiotics in combinations with the essential oil on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans were determined using antimicrobial checkerboard method. According to this model, antagonist effect was observed as 14.29%, 57.14% and 0% for S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans, respectively. As a result, the use of C. sinensis essential oil with antibiotics can be seen as a disadvantage as it may slow the effect of antibiotics. On the contrary, in another case, the using of C. sinensis essential oil with antibiotics may cause to delaying the resistance mechanisms of bacteria and turn of antagonism to advantage in clinical applications.

Insecticidal and biochemical activity of essential oil from Citrus sinensis peel and constituents on Callosobrunchus maculatus and Sitophilus zeamais

Alternative strategies to treat multidrug resistant pathogens are indispensable due to the scarcity of new therapeutically effective antibiotics. The present work was conducted to investigate the antimicrobial effects of essential oils extracted from Citrus sinensis, locally known as “Mousami”, against various important pathogens as well as their phytochemical characterisation. Essential oils were extracted from Cit. sinensis peels by the steam distillation method, and a 0.23% yield was obtained. Chemical composition of the extracted essential oil was analysed through gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The analysis revealed that the Cit. sinensis essential oil was composed of a variety of chemical compounds; mostly are monoterpene hydrocarbon and 0.62% of limonene (dipentene), as well as oxygenated monoterpenes and 0.50% limonene oxide, also known as eucalyptol. Standard reference microorganisms, i.e., E. coli (ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Salmonella Typhi (ATCC 24682), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), Aspergillus flavus (ATCC 204304), and Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) were used, and the in vitro antimicrobial effect of Cit. sinensis essential oils was observed against these strains by disc diffusion method. Statistical analysis of the resulting data was done by using Least Significant Difference (LSD) method and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to assess the significant association between biological activities of essential oils at p < 0.05. Using microbroth dilution assay, maximum sensitivity was exhibited by E. coli and Can. albicans among the tested microbial strains. The zones of inhibition were significantly different, having diameters of 34.0 ± 1.5 and 55.0 ± 0.5 mm for the said bacterial and fungal strains, respectively; and their MIC values were 0.0007 ± 0.0001 and 0.0007 ± 0.0006 mg/ml, respectively. Thin layer chromatography-bioautography (TLC-bioautography) showed dipentene as biologically most active antimicrobial component. Hence, it was established that broad spectrum antimicrobial effect against important microorganisms was elucidated by essential oil extracts from Cit. sinensis that may be used as a natural antimicrobial to treat various infections caused by pathogens of public health interest.

Effect of α-terpinolene on Propionibacterium acnes-induced hyperkeratosis and inflammation in vitro and in vivo.

Quality suitability modeling of volatile oil in Chinese Materia Medica – Based on maximum entropy and independent weight coefficient method: Case studies of Atractylodes lancea, Angelica sinensis, Curcuma longa and Atractylodes macrocephala

The housefly, Musca domestica L., is one of the most common insects, associated with vectoring of various etiological agents. In order to search for effective control agent, the essential oil of sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] was evaluated for its insecticidal activity against the larvae and pupae of housefly using contact toxicity and fumigation bioassays. In the contact toxicity assay, lethal concentration, LC(50) of C. sinensis essential oil against housefly larvae, varied between 3.93 and 0.71 μl/cm(2) for different observation days, while lethal time, LT(50), varied between 5.8 to 2.3 days. Mortality of larvae were significant with different concentrations (F = 2.79, df = 4, P < 0.05) and time (F = 6.69, df = 3, P < 0.01). In fumigant assay for housefly larvae, LC(50) of 71.2 and 52.6 μl/l was obtained in 24 and 48 h, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy of oil treated larvae revealed extreme dehydration and surface distortion while control larvae were free from any of the above symptoms and presented smooth surface, conforming effect of essential oil on housefly larvae. Percentage inhibition rate of oil against housefly pupae was 27.3-72.7% for contact toxicity and 46.4-100% for fumigation assay. Compositional analysis of C. sinensis essential oil using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed D: -limonene (73.24%), α-pinene (5.86%) and myrcene (4.45%) as major components whereas its vapour profile (solid-phase micro extraction-GC/MS) was dominated by D: -limonene at 92.57%. Significant activity of C. sinensis essential oil against larvae and pupae of housefly, pave the way for its use as eco-friendly housefly control measure.

Integrated in vitro - in vivo evaluation of Angelica sinensis essential oil as an anti-acne agent: Mechanistic insights into bioactive compounds and multi-target therapeutic actions.

Propionibacterium acnes and Sebaceous Lipogenesis: A Love–Hate Relationship?

BackgroundCutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE) is an autoimmune skin disorder. The adaptive immune system is involved in the etiology of CLE. CLE lesions respond to inhibition of endosomal toll like receptors, hence supporting other disease mechanisms in its pathogenesis.HypothesisGenes associated with defects in the innate immune system would be differentially expressed in CLE skin compared to normal controls.MethodUsing the Gene Expression Omnibus, gene expression data from skin biopsies of patients with cutaneous and normal controls were compared. Data sets selected included: GSE109248, GSE81071, GSE52417, and GSE95474, including acute lupus, subacute lupus, discoid lupus, and normal skin samples. GEO2R was used to analyze the gene expressions between the two sample groups for each data set. STRING (Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins), GeneCard, and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Pathway) analysis were used to identify the interaction and function of specific genes.ResultsGenes associated with the NOD like receptor (NLR) signaling pathway were consistently differentially expressed in discoid lupus skin samples in all data sets (p‐value &lt; 8.74e‐05). Five genes associated with the NLR signaling pathway were found to be upregulated in skin samples of discoid lupus patients in all datasets compared to normal controls. These included: STAT1 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 1), Oligoadenylate Synthetases (OAS1, OAS2, OAS3), and AIM2 (absent in melanoma 2). These five genes are known to be involved with transcription activation, regulation of viral infection, and interferon response.ConclusionGenes associated with the NLR signaling pathway are differentially expressed in the skin lesions of lupus patients, specifically discoid lupus, compared to normal controls, supporting the role of the innate immune system in its pathogenesis. Further validation studies using experimental methods such as polymerase chain reaction are needed.

1. Anju Sawni, MD* 2. Amritpal Singh, MD† 1. *Pediatric Education, Hurley Children’s Hospital/Hurley Medical Center, Flint, MI. 2. †Department of Dravyaguna (Medicinal Plants), Sri Dhanwantry Ayurvedic College, Chandigarh, India. * Abbreviations: EFAs: : essential fatty acid LTB4: : leukotriene B4 Acne vulgaris is a common skin disorder that affects ∼70% to 87% of adolescents and young adults. (1) The pathogenesis of acne is multifactorial and complex, and is thought to be due to androgen-stimulated sebum production. This production leads to follicular occlusion and hyperkeratinization, with comedo formation, as well as microbial colonization of pilosebaceous follicles by Propionibacterium acnes , leading to inflammatory papules and pustules. Conventional treatments for acne include salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, and antibiotics (topical and systemic). However, symptoms may not always improve, and patients may have adverse reactions to conventional treatments and thus seek alternative treatments. Antibiotic resistance in P acnes also has been rising, thus promoting the need to look at alternative therapies. (2) The influence of diet on acne has been debated for decades. One review of the literature looking at the evidence for diet, face washing, and sunlight exposure in acne management concluded that the evidence is incomplete at best. (3) Another review did not support any link between acne and foods such as dairy products, chocolate, and fatty foods. (4) However, with more recent focus on diet and nutritional supplements, emerging research suggests that diet may be a factor, particularly in mediating the inflammation and oxidative stress of the acne process. (5)(6)(7) Western diets, with characteristically high glycemic indices, can elevate insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 levels acutely and chronically. (5) These hormones stimulate adrenal and gonadal androgen production, leading to increased sebum production and acne. Frequent consumption of high-glycemic-index carbohydrates may repeatedly expose adolescents to acute hyperinsulinemia. Therefore, a low-glycemic-load diet may have a beneficial effect on acne. (6) A review …