Marigold Oil Research Articles

Enhancing therapeutic effects alginate microencapsulation of thyme and calendula oils using ionic gelation for controlled drug delivery

This study focuses on encapsulating and characterizing essential oils such as thyme and calendula oils, which are known for their therapeutic properties but are limited in pharmaceutical formulations due to their low water solubility and instability, with alginate microspheres. Alginate presents an excellent option for microencapsulation due to its biocompatibility and biological degradability. The ionic gelation (IG) technique, based on the ionic binding between alginate and divalent cations, allows the formation of hydrogel materials with high water content, mechanical strength, and biocompatibility. The microspheres were characterized using FT-IR, SEM, and swelling analyses. After determining the encapsulation efficiency and drug loading capacity, the microspheres were subjected to dissolution studies under simulated digestion conditions. It was observed that the swelling percentage of the microspheres in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) ranged from ∼15% to 100%, while in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) it ranged from ∼150% to 325%. Thyme oil, with low viscosity, exhibited higher encapsulation efficiency than marigold oil. The highest encapsulation efficiency was observed in A-TO-2 microspheres, while the highest drug loading capacity was observed in A-TO-5 microspheres. During the examination of the dissolution profiles of the microspheres, dissolution rates ranging from 10.98% to 23.56% in SGF and from 52.44% to 63.20% in SIF were observed.

Fractionation of Marigold Waxy Extract Using Supercritical CO2

Marigold oil is a product of great industrial interest thanks to its wide range of medicinal and wound-healing properties. In this work, supercritical carbon dioxide was used to recover marigold essential oil from the hexane solvent extract of marigold flowers, the floral “concrete”. This starting material was mixed with synthetic paraffinic waxes to heighten its melting point and viscosity, thus, improving material processability. Supercritical fluid extraction and fractionation of the modified marigold “concrete” was carried out, and the effect of pressure and CO2 mass flow rate was studied. The pressure was varied from 80 to 180 bar, keeping the temperature constant at 40 °C: the higher the pressure, the larger the CO2 solvent power and extraction yield (up to 9.40% w/w). Nevertheless, the optimum between productivity and process selectivity was found at 100 bar. By changing the CO2 mass flow rate (from 1.20 to 1.50 kg/h), we noted that mass transfer resistance was located externally. GC-MS analysis showed that the most abundant compounds in the oil were δ-cadinene (25%), γ-cadinene (16%), τ-muurolol (6.5%), and α-muurolene (6%). Moreover, the traces of oil and waxes showed no mutual contamination between lighter species and waxes, meaning that the fractionation step was successful.

Study on marigold flower based herbal mosquito repellents using natural binders

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the mosquito-repellent property of marigold flower based cakes using natural binders. Marigold flower cakes were prepared using different natural binders such as neem powder, wood powder, coconut shell powder and cow dung and were impregnated with extracted marigold flower oil of different concentrations, i.e. 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% using methanol as a carrier alcohol. The evaluation of mosquito repellent activity was carried out based on 3 parameters – flammability, burning efficiency with respect to burning time and mosquito repellent activity of the cakes. The results showed that marigold flower cakes with neem powder as a binder; impregnated with 15% marigold oil has the most effective repellence activity. From the present study it can be concluded that marigold flower-based cakes can be used as potential repellent against mosquitoes.

Możliwości wykorzystania w kosmetologii wybranych olejów roślinnych jako źródła karotenoidów

Introduction. Plant oils, due to the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have a positive effect on the condition of the skin, are widely used in cosmetology. Some of them are also used as a rich source of carotenoids, plant dyes, which enjoy unmatched interest of cosmetics manufacturers because of their properties (color, physiological activity). Aim. The aim of the study was to compare the total carotenoid content, including β-carotene, in selected plant oils applied in cosmetology. Material and methods. The carotenoid content in sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.), carrot (Daucus carota L.), marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) and pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) was determined by UV/VIS spectrophotometry and HPLC methods. Results. The tested plant oils have a different content of plant dyes. In terms of total carotenoid content, including β-carotene, they can be arranged as follows: sea buckthorn oil > carrot oil > marigold oil > pumpkin seed oil. Conclusions. The results of this study show that the tested plant oils, especially sea buckthorn oil, can be used in cosmetic formulations as a source of carotenoids, including β-carotene.

Influence of nitrogen fertilization on the seed yield and the content and quality of fat in pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) cultivars

Pot marigold seeds contain oil with a specific composition (presence of calendic acid); hence, they can be used as an alternative oil raw material. In 2011–2013, a field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different nitrogen doses (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 kg N∙ha-1) on the seed yield, oil content, and fatty acid composition in four pot marigold cultivars. Nitrogen fertilization exerted a positive effect on the number of flower heads and seed yield. However, the response of marigold cultivars to nitrogen doses applied varied, i.e. the yield of the ‘Tokaj’ and ‘Radio’ cultivars was significantly increased up to the dose of 60 kg N∙ha-1, whereas such an increase was noted in the ‘Orange King’ and ‘Persimmon Beauty’ cultivars at the dose of 90 kg N∙ha-1. Nitrogen fertilization modified the content of fat: the low nitrogen doses (30 kg N∙ha-1) did not influence the fat content in the seeds, whereas the increasing doses resulted in its gradual decline. The cultivars were characterised by significant differences in plant morphology, seed yield, and fat quality. During the three-year period, the highest seed and fat yields were determined for the ‘Orange King’ cultivar (1857.3 and 339.3 kg·ha-1, respectively) and the highest proportion of calendic acid in the oil (54.86%) was detected in the ‘Persimmon Beauty’ cultivar. The yield and quality of marigold oil depended on both nitrogen fertilization and the weather conditions prevailing during the growing seasons. The increase in the nitrogen doses was accompanied by an increase in the content of linoleic acid and a decrease in the level of oleic acid. The cooler and wetter growing season in 2011 turned out to promote the highest fat and calendic acid accumulation.

Development of lamellar gel phase emulsion containing marigold oil (Calendula officinalis) as a potential modern wound dressing

Appropriate therapeutics for wound treatments can be achieved by studying the pathophysiology of tissue repair. Here we develop formulations of lamellar gel phase (LGP) emulsions containing marigold (Calendula officinalis) oil, evaluating their stability and activity on experimental wound healing in rats. LGP emulsions were developed and evaluated based on a phase ternary diagram to select the best LGP emulsion, having a good amount of anisotropic structure and stability. The selected LGP formulation was analyzed according to the intrinsic and accelerated physical stability at different temperatures. In addition, in vitro and in vivo studies were carried out on wound healing rats as a model. The LGP emulsion (15.0% marigold oil; 10.0% of blend surfactants and 75.0% of purified water [w/w/w]) demonstrated good stability and high viscosity, suggesting longer contact of the formulation with the wound. No cytotoxic activity (50–1000μg/mL) was observed in marigold oil. In the wound healing rat model, the LGP (15mg/mL) showed an increase in the leukocyte recruitment to the wound at least on days 2 and 7, but reduced leukocyte recruitment after 14 and 21days, as compared to the control. Additionally, collagen production was reduced in the LGP emulsion on days 2 and 7 and further accelerated the process of re-epithelialization of the wound itself. The methodology utilized in the present study has produced a potentially useful formulation for a stable LGP emulsion-containing marigold, which was able to improve the wound healing process.

Influence of Surfactant on the Thermal Behavior of Marigold Oil Emulsions with Liquid Crystal Phases

ABSTRACTVegetable oils have been largely consumed owing to the interest of pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries in using natural raw materials. The production of stable emulsions with vegetable oils challenges formulators due to its variability in composition and fatty acids constitution within batches produced. In the present work, it was studied that the influence of the size of carbon chain and the number of ethylene oxide moieties of the surfactant on the thermal behavior of eight emulsions prepared with marigold oil stabilized by liquid crystal phases. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to determine the thermal behavior of the emulsions. The ratio of bound water was calculated, being between 29.0 and 42.0%, confirming the extension of the liquid-crystalline net in the external phase. Changing the lipophilic surfactant from Ceteth-2 to Steareth-2, there was an increase in the temperature of phase transition of the liquid crystal influencing the system stability. Calorimetric study is very useful in understanding the performance of liquid crystals with the increase of temperature and to estimate emulsions stability.

Attainment of Emulsions with Liquid Crystal from Marigold Oil Using the Required HLB Method

Development of new formulations for topical use and cosmetic and pharmaceutical delivery agents has increased the complexity of emulsified systems. Liquid crystals, known since the nineteenth century are the third phase of an emulsion, being responsible for increasing its stability and the solubility of substances poorly soluble in water, or the oily phase, modulating the release of drugs imprisoned in its structure and promoting hydration of the skin surface. In the present work we developed oil/water emulsions, making use of Marigold oil (Calendula officinalis L) and ethoxylated fat alcohols as surfactant. The required HLB value for marigold oil was determined to be 6.0. The surfactants were associated in lipophilic/hydrophilic pairs. The lipophilic surfactants were Ceteth‐2 and Steareth‐2 and the hydrophilic surfactants were Steareth‐20, Ceteareth‐20, Ceteareth‐5, and Ceteth‐10. To identify the liquid crystalline phases, the emulsions were analyzed by polarized light microscopy. The physical stability was evaluated by rheology and zeta potential analysis. All emulsions presented lamellar liquid crystal structures. Results showed that this type of surfactant is able to produce liquid crystal in the system, with slight difference in appearance, influencing the physical stability, according to the methods applied.

An investigation of influence of solvent on the degradation kinetics of carotenoids in oil extracts of Calendula officinalis

The stability of carotenoids was studied in marigold oil extracts prepared with following solvents: Myritol 312?, paraffin oil, almond oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, grape seed oil, and soybean oil. The concentration of the carotenoids was determined by spectroscopic measurement at 450 nm. Degradation rate showed a first order dependence on the concentration of carotenoids with a faster first stage (which lasted 35-50 days, depending on the solvent) and a slower second stage. The highest degradation rates were observed in extracts prepared with linoleic acid rich solvents (sunflower oil, soybean oil and grape seed oil), while the lowest were found in oil with saturated fatty acids (Myritol 312?) and paraffin oil. These results confirm the connection between the degradation of carotenoids and lipid autoxidation, and suggest that the influence of the oil solvents on the stability of oil extracts of Calendula officinalis is a factor that must be considered when selecting a solvent for the production of marigold oil extracts.

Cytotoxic effect of conjugated trienoic fatty acids on mouse tumor and human monocytic leukemia cells.

The cytotoxicity of fatty acids from seed oils containing conjugated linolenic acids (CLN) was studied. Fatty acids from pomegranate, tung, and catalpa were cytotoxic to human monocytic leukemia cells at concentrations exceeding 5 microM for pomegranate and tung and 10 microM for catalpa, but fatty acids from pot marigold oil had no effect at concentrations ranging up to 163 microM. The main conjugated fatty acids of pomegranate, tung, catalpa, and pot marigold were cis(c)9,trans(t)11,c13-CLN (71.7%), c9,t11,t13-CLN (70.1%), t9,t11,c13-CLN (31.3%), and t8,t10,c12-CLN (33.4%), respectively. Therefore, the cytotoxicities of fatty acids from pomegranate, tung, and catalpa were supposed to be due to 9,11,13-CLN isomers. To elucidate the cytotoxicity of these CLN, we separated each CLN isomer from the fatty acid mixtures by high-performance liquid chromatography and analyzed its cytotoxicity. The cytotoxicities of c9,t11,c13-CLN, c9,t11,t13-CLN, and t9,t11,c13-CLN were much stronger than that of t8,t10,c12-CLN. Therefore, the higher cytotoxicity of fatty acids from pomegranate, tung, and catalpa than those from pot marigold would be derived from the different activities of 9,11,13-CLN and 8,10,12-CLN. Since there was little difference in the cytotoxicities of c9,t11,c13-CLN,c9,t11,t13-CLN, and t9,t11,c13-CLN, it is suggested that the cis/trans configuration of 9,11,13-CLN isomers had little effect on their cytotoxic effects. The mechanism of the cytotoxicity of the four fatty acids above may involve lipid peroxidation, because the order of toxicity of the fatty acids was consistent with their susceptibility to peroxidation in aqueous phase. This was supported by the decrease in the cytotoxicity of the fatty acids by addition of butylated hydroxytoluene.