Oil Group Research Articles

The impact of vitamin D3 administration and of high fat diet on oxidative stress and inflammation in experimentally induced polycystic ovary syndrome

Background. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is commonly associated with obesity and may be exacerbated by the lack of vitamin D3. Aim. The study aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin D3 administration in female rats with PCOS and prolonged high fat diet (HFD). Methods. Forty-four female Wistar rats, 180-200 g, 10 weeks old, were randomly allocated into 2 groups (n=22) that received a single dose intramuscular injection of: sesame oil (group I), or estradiol valerate (5 mg) in sesame oil (group II). After 4 weeks, intraovarian cysts developed in group II, as evidenced by ultrasonography. In the next step, half of rats from each group received standard diet (SD) and the other half high fat diet, through oral gavage, for 17 weeks, the following groups being obtained: Control (SD), HFD, PCOS (PCOS+SD) and PCOS+HFD. Next, all the rats received, for 5 weeks, 500 UI/kg/day vitamin D3, through oral gavage. Lipid peroxidation was assessed through malondialdehyde level in the ovary and periovarian tissue and the inflammation was quantified in ovary by NFkB, pNFkB, NRF2 and SOD1 expressions. Ovaries from all groups were collected for histopathological analysis. Blood samples were taken to evaluate the basal insulin, triglycerides and total cholesterol levels throughout the experiment. Results. Both groups with PCOS recorded significant increases of malondialdehyde in ovaries (p<0.001) and in periovarian tissue, especially in PCOS+HFD (p<0.05), even after vitamin D3 administration. PCOS+HFD group treated with vitamin D3 showed a high degree of inflammation in ovarian histopathology but with decreased pNFkB expression (p<0.01) while PCOS group recorded an increased SOD1 expression (p<0.05). Additionally, vitamin D3 treatment attenuated the insulin level (p<0.001) in PCOS and in HFD groups and the total cholesterol level in PCOS+HFD group, but triglycerides recordings were without statistical significance (p>0.05). HFD induced inflammation in ovaries, evidenced histologically and through increases of COX2 expressions (p<0.05) without significant influences on oxidative stress and on cholesterol levels. Conclusions. Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation in the ovary tissue and in blood with increased levels of insulin, total cholesterol and triglycerides that might be partially mitigated by vitamin D3 oral administration.

Pharmacological profile of Cymbopogan Citratus: A review

Cymbopogoncitratus is an aromatic plant of Gramineae family well-known as lemon grass. Cymbopogon is derived from Greek word “kymbe – pogon” which means boat-beard. The lemon-like scent could be ascribed to the existence of a cyclic monoterpene (citral). The herb is a perennial grass, native and distributed in Asia, Africa, South and North America. It contains considerable group of flavonoids, essential oils, phenolic compounds and other phytochemical constituents which possesses pharmacological activities such as anti-obesity, anti-carcinogenic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-nociceptive, anti-oxidants anti-diarrheal, and anti-inflammatory properties which could enhance health.It has also been known to restrain platelet composition, cure diabetes, gastrointestinal infections, anxiety or depression, malaria and pneumonia. Industrially, they serve as additive, flavour, insecticides and preservative in beverages, baked foods and cuisines. The essential oil of the plant is used in aromatherapy. The compounds identified in Cymbopogoncitratus are mainly terpenes, alcohols, ketones, aldehyde and esters. Some of the reported phytoconstituents are essential oils that contain Citral ?, Citral ?, NerolGeraniol, Citronellal, Terpinolene, Geranyl acetate, Myrecene and TerpinolMethylheptenone. The plant also contains reported phytoconstituents such as flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which consist of luteolin, isoorientin 2’-O-rhamnoside, quercetin, kaempferol and apiginin. Studies indicate that Cymbopogoncitratus possesses various pharmacological activities such as anti-amoebic, antibacterial, antidiarrheal, antifilarial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Various other effects like antimalarial, antimutagenicity, antimycobacterial, antioxidants, hypoglycemic and neurobehaviorial have also been studied. These results are very encouraging and indicate that this herb should be studied more extensively to confirm these results and reveal other potential therapeutic effects.

The effect of different essential oils used in stoma bags of individuals with colostomy remooval of odor, life satisfaction and effect on stoma fit: Randomized controlled study

ObjectiveThe aim of the research was conducted as a randomized controlled interventional study to determine the effect of lavender/mint essential oils placed in stoma bags on odor removal, life satisfaction and stoma compliance in individuals with colostomy. MethodThe research population is patients with permanent colostomy registered in a university hospital's stoma therapy unit. The sample consisted of 60 (20 lavender oil, 20 peppermint oil, 20 control group) patients who met the sampling criteria and voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. In the evaluation of the data the 'Numerical Evaluation Scale' (NES), the 'Satisfaction with Life Scale (SLS), and the 'Ostomy Adjustment Scale' (OAS-23) were used. ResultsThe lavender oil and peppermint oil groups had lower mean odor intensity, mean scores, higher life satisfaction, and stoma compliance scores than the control group. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups (p<0.05). In comparisons made within the groups, statistically, significant differences were found in the mean scores of odor intensity level, life satisfaction, and stoma compliance after the process (p<0.05). ConclusionIt was determined that lavender/peppermint oil placed in the stoma bag in patients with colostomy decreased the level of odor intensity, and increased life satisfaction, and stoma compliance. The trial was registered in the Clinical Trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05716711

Effect of chia seeds or concentrated fish oil on cardiometabolic risk markers in subjects with hypertriglyceridaemia: a parallel clinical trial.

The beneficial effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in reducing high blood triglyceride (TG) levels have been well demonstrated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of chia seeds on blood TG and its associated cardiometabolic factors in hypertriglyceridaemic individuals. This three-group randomised controlled trial compared the effects of a low-calorie diet (n = 22), a low-calorie diet with chia seeds (30 g/day, n = 22) or a low-calorie diet with concentrated fish oil (1.8 g/day of n-3 long-chain PUFAs, n = 22) in patients with hypertriglyceridaemia. Anthropometrics, fasting blood lipids, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, insulin, adiponectin, leptin and interleukin-6 levels were measured. After 8 weeks, the mean reduction in weight exhibited by the three groups was not statistically different (2.0, 2.7 and 2.8 kg, respectively, for the control, fish oil and chia seed groups). The plasma TG decreased in both the chia seed and fish oil groups in comparison to the control group (p = 0.001). However, no significant difference was observed between the chia seed and fish oil groups (change from baseline mean: 145.2 and 136.7 mg/dL for the chia seed and fish oil groups, respectively). The consumption of chia seeds was associated with a reduction in diastolic blood pressure (change from baseline mean: 8.4 mmHg) compared to the other two groups. No significant alterations were observed in the other blood biochemical factors between the three groups. In people with moderate hypertriglyceridaemia, a low-calorie diet with 30 g of chia seeds compared to fish oil supplements containing 1.8 g of long-chain PUFAs has a similar effect on reducing plasma TG levels, whereas it has a higher blood pressure-lowering effect.

Exploring the physiological response differences of β-caryophyllene, linalool and citral inhalation and their anxiolytic potential

Essential oils with β-caryophyllene, citral, and linalool as key compounds often exhibit some anti-anxiety like effects in aromatherapy. However, evidence of the effect of these three compounds through human inhalation remains limited. It is worth exploring their potential anxiolytic effect through the olfactory pathway, and finding out whether the three compounds lead to different physiological responses. A total of 48 subjects were randomly assigned to three odor (β-caryophyllene, citral, and linalool) inhalation groups and one control (odorless jojoba oil) group. Stress stimulation was induced using n-back and mental arithmetic tasks. The odor was administered before the task test session. Assessments including the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), electroencephalogram (EEG) activities, facial expressions, several physiological indicators, and a self-report scale of subjective perception of the odor environments were carried out. The changes before and after inhalation, as well as the inter-group differences, were analyzed. Both β-caryophyllene and citral inhalation led to a significant decrease in anxiety levels, while only β-caryophyllene resulted in a notable reduction across both sub-scales of STAI. Following the odor inhalation, heart rate significantly decreased in all three groups, with the β-caryophyllene group exhibiting the most pronounced decline. While the systolic blood pressure of the linalool group demonstrated a statistically significant difference. Regarding facial expressions, β-caryophyllene significantly increased the ratio of 'Happiness' and decreased the ratio of ‘Fear'. In the non-task state, citral reduced the power of frontal alpha, delta, and theta waves while β-caryophyllene had a similar effect. All odor inhalation groups showed increased delta and theta waves after the task compared with the control group, with the β-caryophyllene group having notably lower frontal beta waves. β-Caryophyllene and citral exhibited good anti-anxiety effects. Subjects receiving different odors showed different EEG and physiological responses, indicating the differences in emotional regulation ways among the three compounds.

ALPHA-MANGOSTIN POTENCY TO IMPROVE RENAL FUNCTION AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL IMAGES IN HIGH-FAT DIET RATS

This study aimed to study whether alpha-mangostin could protect the kidneys of high-fat diet rats using the creatinine serum level and histopathological changes as parameters. The in vivo experimental study with a completely randomized design used 30 male Sprague Dawley rats. After 7 days of adaptation, they were randomly divided into six treatment groups, each with five replications. The study was done for four weeks: NC group (given standard pellet without treatment for four weeks), five other groups were given a high-fat diet for four weeks, and at the last two weeks were added with aquadest, corn oil, alpha-mangostin dose-1, alpha-mangostin dose-2, and simvastatin, namely PTL, CO, D1, D2, and Sim group. Creatinine level was examined at the end of week 2 and week 4; the difference percentage was analyzed using ANOVA/Kruskal Wallis (α=0.05) and continued with Duncan/Mann Whitney. It was shown that creatinine level decreased in D1/D2 = PTL mice (p&gt;0,05); kidney histopathological image in D1 was better than PTL (p&lt;0,05). It was concluded that the alpha-mangostin kidney protection effect was not yet visible according to creatinine level, but it was visible according to histopathological image; further studies are needed.

A comparative study of the healing effects of sesame oil and TiO2 nanoparticles gel on second-degree burn

Burns, a severe form of soft tissue injury, can cause significant damage and, in extreme cases, be fatal. They also lead to considerable mental and emotional distress due to excessive scarring and skin contractures. Despite various treatment methods, burn care remains a challenging medical issue. In this study, titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), revealing particle sizes ranging from 31.52 to 69.08 nanometers. The impact of biosynthetic nanomaterials and sesame seed oil on burn healing in laboratory rats was investigated. The study compared the effects of a 1% TiO2 solution and 20% sesame oil on burned skin with a control group of rats having natural skin. Fifteen rats were divided into three groups, each receiving daily treatment for 28 days. The results indicated that the TiO2 treatment significantly accelerated healing compared to the sesame seed oil group, which had a slower healing rate of 0.12 points per day. The TiO2 treatment demonstrated a marked improvement in healing speed and effectiveness.

Corrosion Behavior of Nickel-Titanium Arch Wires Following the Use of Different Mouthwashes: An In Vivo Study.

The aim of this double-blind in vivo study was to compare the extent of corrosion on the surface of nickel-titanium (NiTi) wires in various mouthwashes. A total of 80 patients who received orthodontic treatment with as-received 0.016x0.022 inch NiTi wires were included in the study, and they were split into 4 groups. The first group used 0.05% of (225ppm F-) sodium fluoride (NaF) (Colgate Plax®) containing mouthwash, 21.6% alcohol (Listerine Cool Mint®) containing mouthwash, and 0.2% clorhexidine (CHX) (Klorhex®) containing mouthwash and the control group used drinking water with melt menthol as mouthwash. After 30 days of using mouthwash, the surfaces of NiTi wires were examined with atomic force microscopy (AFM), and surface roughness values were calculated. Mouthwashes containing fluoride, essential oils, and CHX created higher surface roughness on NiTi wires than the control group. The floride-containing mouthwash group showed less corrosion than the CHX group, whereas there was no difference between the essential oil group. AFM images show supportive data with the results of the clinical study. The results were assessed using a 95% confidence interval and a significance level p<0.05. CHX, essential oil, and floride-containing mouthwashes cause corrosion of NiTi wires. Floride-containing mouthwash can be preferred over CHX mouthwash due to its lesser corrosion effect.

Nutritional and potential health benefits of chufa oil, olive oil, and anhydrous milk fat against gallstone disease in a C57BL/6N mouse model.

Dietary lipids play a major role in many diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases. Recently, the health value of plant oils, particularly heart health, has been recognized. Despite these facts, limited information is available on the potential nutritional and anti-arteriolosclerosis effects of chufa oil, olive oil, and anhydrous milk fat in C57BL/6N mice. In the present study, the effects of olive oil (OO), chufa oil (CO), and anhydrous milk fat (AMF) on 4-week-old C57BL/6N male mice, a model for studies of diet-induced atherosclerosis, were investigated. The AIN-93G-based diet was supplemented with 15% of either OO, CO, or AMF. The final mixture of the diets contained 15% fat, approximately 1.25% cholesterol, and 0.5% sodium cholate. The data obtained showed that most mice had gallstone disease. The highest percentage of the gallstones formed were found in AMF groups (approximately 85.7% of the mice). However, the lowest one was found in the chufa oil group (42.9%), followed by the olive oil group (57.1%). Although the mice's food intake significantly differed, their body weights did not change during the feeding period. The diet supplemented with CO resulted in a significant reduction in serum cholesterol compared with the other groups. Livers from the CO-fed group showed higher triglyceride levels than those from the AMF group. No significant differences were found in atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic valve between the groups. Collectively, our results show no deleterious nutritional effects of the fats used on C57BL/6N mice fed cholesterol-rich diets. Chufa oil improved cholesterol metabolism and atherogenic index in mice. However, the major issue is the formation of gallstones in all mice, which is most prominent in AMF, followed by olive oil and chufa oil diets.

Eucalyptus essential oil exerted a sedative-hypnotic effect by influencing brain neurotransmitters and gut microbes via the gut microbiota-brain axis.

Sleep disorders are becoming more and more common, leading to many health problems. However, most of current available medications to treat sleep disorders are addictive and even impair cognitive abilities. Therefore, it is important to find a natural and safe alternative to treat sleep disorders. In this study, twenty-four 8-week-old male ICR mice (25 ± 2g) were equally divided into three groups: the control group (gavage of 0.9% saline), the eucalyptus essential oil (EEO) group (10mg/kg B.W.), and the diazepam group (1mg/kg B.W.). Firstly, open field test and sleep induction test were used to determine the sedative-hypnotic effect of EEO. Secondly, the effect of EEO on neurotransmitters in the mice brain was determined. Finally, based on the gut microbiota-brain axis (GMBA), the effect of EEO on the intestinal flora of mice was explored. It was found that EEO significantly reduce the activity and prolong the sleep duration of mice, exhibiting a good sedative-hypnotic effect. In the brain, EEO could increase the levels of sleep-promoting neurotransmitters, such as glutamine, Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, tryptophan, N-acetylserotonin, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). In the intestine, EEO was found to increase the diversity of gut microbes, the abundance of short chain fatty acid (SCFA) producing flora, and the abundance of functional flora synthesizing GABA and glycine neurotransmitters. These studies suggested that EEO exerted a sedative-hypnotic effect by acting on gut microbes and neurotransmitters in the brain. EEO has the potential to become a natural and safe alternative to traditional hypnotic sedative drugs.

Triacylglycerols in human milk and their association with edible oils in maternal diet: A study of five regions in China

Triacylglycerol (TAG) is the predominant lipid in human milk fat (∼98 %). The association between TAG and maternal diet is interesting but barely understood. In this study, we analyzed the TAG composition in human milk of mothers consuming seven edible oils during three lactation stages in five cities in China. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used to identify 147 species of TAGs. TAGs containing palmitic acid (P-TAG) and oleic acid (O-TAG) were significantly higher, whereas medium- and long-chain TAG was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in colostrum compared to transitional and mature milk. PLS-DA plots indicated the total TAG composition varied in different lactation stages and economic regions. Mothers consuming sunflower oil contained significantly lower (P < 0.05) P-TAG and O-TAG in their milk than the peanut oil group. O-P-L was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in rapeseed and olive oil groups. Significantly lower (P < 0.05) contents of TAGs containing linoleic acid (L-TAG) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA-TAG) were observed in the high oleic acid oil group. All the estimated factors explained 12.20 % – 33.40 % of the variation in different TAGs. These results contribute to a better nutrition strategy of maternal edible oils to promote breastfeeding.

Efficacy of Foldable Capsular Vitreous Body Implants Filled With Light or Heavy Silicone Oil in the Treatment of Silicone Oil-dependent Eyes.

The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy of foldable capsular vitreous body (FCVB) filled with either light or heavy silicone oil and the incidence of complications after their implantation for the treatment of severe ocular trauma and silicone oil-dependent eyes. FCVB filled with either light (n = 16) or heavy (n = 8) silicone oil was implanted in 24 patients. During the 12-month follow-up period, the intraocular pressure, final best-corrected visual acuity, retinal reattachment condition, position of the FCVB, and complications were assessed. All surgeries were performed without issue. There was no significant difference in preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity between the two groups. A significant improvement in the intraocular pressure was observed after surgery in both the light silicone oil (P = 0.029) and heavy silicone oil (P = 0.035) groups. None of the patients developed displacement or prolapse of the FCVB. The most common early and late postoperative complications were postoperative hemorrhage (33.3%) and corneal opacification (50%), respectively. FCVB filled with heavy silicone oil can be used as a supplemental therapy for patients who have lost the anterior segment of their eye, have lesions of the inferior retina, or cannot maintain the prone position for various reasons. Implantation of FCVB combined with heavy silicone oil compensates for the shortcomings of this with light silicone oil, providing patients with more personalized treatment.

Coconut oil affects aging-related changes in Mongolian gerbil liver morphophysiology

Aging causes changes in liver morphophysiology, altering hepatocyte morphology and organ function. Due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, coconut oil has been used as a therapeutic agent in diets, in an attempt to attenuate alterations in the liver naturally caused by aging. Herein, we evaluated the effects of coconut oil consumption during aging on Mongolian gerbil liver morphophysiology. The animals were divided into three experimental groups: the gerbils in the Adult Control Group (AC) were euthanized at 3 months of age, the gerbils in the Old Control Group (OC) at 15 months of age, and the gerbils in the Coconut Oil Group (CO) received 0.1 ml/day of coconut oil for 12 months and were euthanized at 15 months of age. Prolonged consumption of coconut oil during aging prevented the animals and the liver from gaining mass. However, the other results showed that coconut oil intensified the morphophysiological alterations of aging, promoting an increase in the hepatocyte cytoplasm and nuclei. In addition, an increase in blood vessels, reticular fibers, lipid droplets, and lipofuscin granules were observed in the CO group. Finally, the results also demonstrated that coconut oil promotes an increase in lipid peroxidation, indicated by an increase in MDA levels. We therefore conclude that coconut oil has the potential to intensify the morphophysiological alterations that occur in the liver during aging.

Effect of Topical Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Seed Oil on Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial

Purpose, and DesignKnee osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common and debilitating diseases, especially in the elderly. Hemp seed oil is a plant product that has been used as a food or drug since ancient times because of its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. MethodsA double-blind, active, placebo-controlled trial was done to assess the efficacy of hemp seed oil on knee OA. Ninety patients were randomly allocated to three groups; hemp seed oil, diclofenac gel, and placebo via a blocked randomization method, and were asked to apply the topical treatment daily for 2 months. The study participant underwent assessments before, and four and 8 weeks after the intervention. Evaluation included measurements of the heel-to-thigh distance, utilization of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and application of visual analog scale (VAS). Data analysis was performed using SPSS.24 and the significance level was considered as p < .05. ResultsAll parameters, except heel-to-thigh distance, improved significantly in the hemp seed oil group compared to placebo group. Improvements in VAS and WOMAC parameters were not different comparing the hemp seed oil and diclofenac gel groups. Heel-to-thigh distance decreased significantly within all groups during the study. There were no significant differences in improvements in heel-to-thigh distance comparing the three groups. Conclusion, and Clinical ImplicationsHemp seed oil led to greater improvements in VAS pain score and WOMAC parameters, but not knee flexion range, compared to placebo. There were no differences in measured outcomes comparing hemp seed oil and diclofenac gel.

The effect of sweet almond oil vaginal suppository on the cervical ripening in nulliparous pregnant women: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe failure of labor induction often occurs when the cervix is not ripe. To mitigate the side effects of chemical drugs, herbal medicines are now being considered for cervical ripening. This study aimed to investigate the impact of sweet almond oil vaginal suppositories on cervical ripening in nulliparous women. MethodsThis three-blinded clinical trial was conducted in 2023–2024 and involved 60 pregnant women who were referred to Shahid Hashmi-nejad Hospital in Mashhad. Women were randomly divided into two groups through a random sequence with a block size of 4, and then were given either a daily vaginal suppository of sweet almond oil or a placebo for up to one week from 40 weeks (0/7) of gestational age. The Bishop score was assessed before the intervention, 72 hours later, and four to seven days after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 25, and the independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney, and Wilcoxon tests were used. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. ResultsThe intervention group and placebo group had a mean Bishop score of 1.7 ± 1.4 and 0.6 ± 0.8 respectively. After 72 hours, the mean scores for the intervention and placebo groups were 4.0 ± 2.5 and 0.9 ± 1.6, respectively and four to seven days after the intervention, the mean scores for the sweet almond oil and placebo groups were 4.5 ± 2.1 and 1.2 ± 2.1 respectively. The Mann-Whitney test demonstrated a significant difference in the Bishop scores during these three follow-ups (P < 0.001). ConclusionBased on the positive impact of sweet almond oil vaginal suppositories on increasing the Bishop score, it is recommended to utilize this affordable, safe, and accessible method for cervical ripening in nulliparous women.

The effect of lavender oil use on pain and comfort level in intramuscular injection administration: A single blind randomized controlled study

ContextThe fact that the concept of quality in health care services has come to the fore and that evidence-based practices have become widespread made such concepts as patient satisfaction and comfort important and priority parameters in determining the quality of health services. ObjectivesThe aim of the study is to determine the effects of using lavender oil in intramuscular injection on injection pain, comfort level, blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate. MethodsThe study was designed as a prospective, single-blind randomized controlled trial. The research was conducted in accordance with the CONSORT Checklist guide. In our study, a total of 160 individuals were included in the sample, 80 of whom were control and 80 were intervention. Structured Information Form, Visual Analog Scale and Comfort Scale were used to collect the data of the research. Mann Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis test and Wilcoxon test were used to evaluate the data. ResultsIt was determined that the mean pain scores of the individuals who received intramuscular injection by applying lavender oil were statistically significantly lower than the individuals in the control group. Again, the comfort score averages of the individuals who were applied lavender oil were found to be statistically significantly higher than the control group. It was determined that the blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate before the injection of the individuals in the control group increased statistically significantly according to the post-injection measurements, while the blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate in the lavender oil group decreased significantly after the injection and remained within their normal values. ConclusionAs a result, it was determined that the application of lavender oil in intramuscular injection had a positive and significant effect on the blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate of the individuals on the injection pain and comfort level.

Novel Synthesis and Biophysical Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Virgin Coconut Oil.

One of the primary concerns in the field of green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) utilizing plant materials is the scarcity of high purity, challenges in achieving large-scale production, and limited global accessibility. Hygienic preparation and safe storage of plant extracts are also considerable challenges in this field. So, an investigation was started to overcome these limitations. Virgin coconut oil (VCO) in its purest form is available commercially all over the world. Also, it has high medicinal value with excellent biomedical applications. Very limited work has been reported on oils as bio reducers and stabilizers. In those reports, they used a few chemicals as mediators in the processes of synthesis and cleaning. So, to the best of our knowledge, for the first time, zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs were synthesized using VCO as a reducing and capping agent with zero chemical mediators. A comprehensive investigation of the structural, microstructural, and optical properties was reported. X-ray diffraction confirms the formation of VCO-ZnO NPs with an average crystallite size of 32.81 nm in a hexagonal structure. UV characteristics confirm quantum confinement through a well-defined SPR near 223 nm with fwhm of 67 nm and a direct band gap at 3.96 eV. FTIR reveals the capping of VCO through carboxylic functional groups, particularly the -COO- group of coconut oil at 1770 cm-1 with a shift of about 30 cm-1 compared to plain VCO. TEM confirms the polycrystalline nature with nearly spherical and 10-22 nm particle size. The zeta potential of -15.4 ± 5.0 mV signifies the stability and antiagglomeration properties. FESEM with EDS results confirms morphological excellence, the purity level of synthesized NPs (99.5%), and the prominent scalability of NPs (84.38% yield). Finally, as-synthesized VCO-ZnO NPs showed very good antioxidant (IC50 78.991, 51.464, and 4.677 μg/mL in DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, respectively), anti-inflammatory (IC50 22.42 μg/mL in protein denaturation), antimicrobial (MIC 0.156 mg/mL for Pseudomonas and 0.316 mg/mL for S. aureus), and antidiabetic properties (IC50 88.45 and 147.67 μg/mL for α-amylase and α-glucosidase assays, respectively).

Assessment of the efficacy and safety of Indulekha svetakutaja hair oil in management of dandruff: a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Indulekha Svetakutaja Hair Oil in comparison with coconut oil in the management of dandruff through a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study. Methods: A total of 110 subjects with clinically diagnosed moderate dandruff were randomly assigned into two groups: Group A (The Indulekha Svetakutaja Hair Oil group, n=55) and Group B (Placebo coconut hair oil group, n=55), where 50 subjects in each group completed the study. The treatment phase was for 4 weeks, followed by a regression phase of 2 weeks. Subjects applied the allotted oil on their scalp, massaged and kept it for a minimum of 30 mins or overnight thrice a week, then washed it with the provided neutral shampoo for a duration of 4 weeks. Dermatological assessments, instrumental measurements and subject self-assessment questionnaire were evaluated in comparison to baseline at weekly intervals throughout the study period. Results: After 4 weeks of treatment, group A demonstrated a significantly greater reduction (p&lt;0.05) in dandruff severity compared to group B. The Total Dandruff scores in Group A showed a significant reduction of 70.62 units while in Group B, it was noted to be 48.79 units. Nearly all participants (98%) in Group A reported a subjective perception improvement in dandruff symptoms compared to Group B. Conclusions: Indulekha Svetakutaja Hair Oil is safe and effective in controlling dandruff and improving scalp and hair health, making it a promising therapeutic option for individuals with dandruff.

Cannabidiol plus krill oil supplementation improves chronic stifle osteoarthritis in dogs: A double-blind randomized controlled trial

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common orthopedic disorder characterized by chronic inflammation and pain in dogs and cats. Cannabis spp. contains cannabidiol (CBD), a substance with pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties in different animals including dogs with OA. The use of CBD supplements has been increasingly intertwining in veterinary medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of CBD + krill oil-supplemented biscuit against canine OA. In total, 30 dogs with stifle OA were randomized and divided into the placebo, krill oil, and CBD + krill oil groups. The Canine Brief Pain Inventory questionnaire was used to evaluate the efficacy of each treatment against pain. Stifle temperature was monitored to identify degrees of stifle inflammation. Two and one dogs in the placebo group were excluded from the study due to worsening lameness and increased pain interference score (PIS) and pain severity score (PSS) at days 14 and 28, respectively.The PIS and PSS scores of the krill oil and CBD + krill oil groups gradually and significantly improved after two weeks of treatment. The CBD + krill oil group had better PIS and PSS scores than the placebo and krill oil groups. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the PIS and PSS scores between the krill oil and CBD + krill oil groups. The stifle temperature of the three groups at different periods did not significantly differ. In conclusion, CBD + krill oil supplements are safe against canine OA. CBD can reduce pain and inflammation.

Krill oil supplementation improves transepidermal water loss, hydration and elasticity of the skin in healthy adults: Results from two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding pilot studies.

Dietary marine omega-3 fatty acids and phospholipids have individually shown favorable effects on skin barrier function. Krill oil offers a combination of omega-3 in phospholipid form which might enhance the efficacy in supporting skin health. The aim was to investigate the impact of two different doses of krill oil on skin transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in healthy adults. Secondary outcomes were skin hydration, elasticity and the omega-3 index. Two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot studies were conducted in healthy adults with a baseline TEWL of >10 and ≤24.9 g/m2/h. In study 1, 51 participants consumed 1 g of krill oil or placebo daily. In study 2, 50 participants consumed 2 g of krill oil or placebo daily. The outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks. The krill oil supplemented groups significantly increased their omega-3 index versus placebo in both studies. Furthermore, the krill oil groups in both studies showed statistically significant beneficial reductions in TEWL (from 14.47 ± 3.65 to 13.83 ± 3.78 in study 1 and from 14.25 ± 3.21 to 13.02 ± 2.76 in study 2) and increases in hydration and elasticity when compared to placebo. There were significant linear relationships between changes in the omega-3 index and changes in TEWL, hydration and elasticity in both studies. Daily oral supplementation with 1 and 2 g of krill oil showed significant and dose-dependent improvements in skin TEWL, hydration, and elasticity compared to placebo that correlated with changes in the omega-3 index.