Peppermint Research Articles

PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF LAFUTIDINE NANOEMULSION AS ORAL DELIVERY SYSTEM

Objective: Lafutidine is a histamine (H2) receptor antagonist utilized for the treatment of gastric ulcer. Its oral bioavailability is low due to poor water solubility and an extensive first-pass hepatic. So, the present work aims to formulate and characterize of an oil in water (o/w) nanoemulsion of lafutidine as oral liquid dosage form and this could enhance drug solubility and improve its bioavailability. Methods: The pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were constructed via titration method. The diagram plots derived from oil, various ratios of surfactant and co-surfactant (S mix), and double distilled water. The selected optimized lafutidine nanoemulsions formula was determined via a variety of investigational studies like particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, pH, drug content and an in vitro drug release. Results: Characterization studies revealed that the optimum formula of nanoemulsions was (NE5), which consist of 0.2% of lafutidine, 30 % of surfactant and co-surfactant (S mix) (3:1), which mean (22.5%of tween 20:7.5% of polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG 200), 10% of peppermint oil and 59.4% of double distilled water. The optimized formula exhibited droplets size (62.56-96.2 nm), PDI (0.11), good pH value (7.1), zeta potential (-32.2 mV), high drug content (99.2%), in vitro release of lafutidine was significantly higher (P<0.05) for NE5. Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) revealed that the droplets size of NE5 was in nano-scale. Conclusion: It is possible to conclude that the optimized formula (NE5) was promised formula of nanoemulsion for increasing the orally delivered lafutidine bioavailability.

Mentha spp. essential oils: toxicity to Alphitobius diaperinus, activity against poultry pathogenic bacteria, and Beauveria bassiana compatibility.

The botanical insecticide market is growing because of limitations placed on the use of certain synthetic chemical insecticides. In this sense, the lesser mealworm Alphitobius diaperius (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is the main poultry pest. The insect causes weight loss and damage to the digestive system of poultry, and it is a vector and reservoir of pathogens. Consequently, this study explored the following hypotheses: (i) essential oils (EOs) derived from Mentha spp. are toxic to A. diaperius; (ii) these EOs are compatible with Beauveria bassiana, the natural enemy of the poultry pest, that parasite A. diaperinus; (iii) these EOs also exhibit activity against bacteria that are pathogenic to poultry. In topical applications and ingestion tests, EOs from Mentha arvensis, Mentha spicata, and Mentha piperita were toxic to A. diaperinus. Chromatographic analyses revealed that menthol is the predominant compound in M. arvensis and M. piperita, whereas carvone is the major compound in M. spicata. Both (-)- and (+)-menthol, along with (-)- and (+)-carvone, underwent testing with A. diaperinus. Nevertheless, their activity was not as potent as those of the EOs, suggesting a possible synergistic and/or additive effect. The EOs did not have any adverse effects on the conidial germination, vegetative growth, or conidia production per colony of the entomopathogenic fungus B. bassiana. Consequently, these EOs are compatible with this natural enemy. The EO extracted from M. spicata exhibited significant toxicity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), whereas the remaining EOs displayed moderate toxicity against this bacterium. The EOs derived from Mentha spp., as assessed in this study, hold promise for the development of botanical insecticides tailored for the control of A. diaperinus. These insecticides are selective in favor of the natural enemy B. bassiana and can also serve as effective sanitizers, thanks to their antibacterial properties.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Amaranthus viridis, Mentha piperita and Ocimum basilicum and their in-vitro antioxidant and antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Amaranthus viridis, Mentha piperita and Ocimum basilicum and their in-vitro antioxidant and antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea

A Comprehensive Study on Peppermint Oil and Cinnamon Oil as Nanoemulsion: Preparation, Stability, Cytotoxicity, Antimicrobial, Antifungal, and Antioxidant Activity.

Recent studies have shown that nanoemulsions prepared with essential oils have significant antimicrobial potential against multidrug-resistant pathogens due to increased chemical stability. Nanoemulsion also promotes controlled and sustained release, which increases their bioavailability and efficacy against multidrug-resistant bacteria. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity properties of cinnamon essential oil and peppermint essential oil as nanoemulsions compared to pure forms. For this purpose, analyses of the selected stable nanoemulsions were carried out. The droplet sizes and zeta potentials of peppermint essential oil nanoemulsions and cinnamon essential oil nanoemulsions were found to be 154.6±1.42 nm and -17.1±0.68 mV and 200.3±4.71 nm and -20.0±0.81 mV, respectively. Although the amount of essential oil used in nanoemulsions was 25% w/w, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were found to be more effective compared to pure essential oils. In cytotoxicity studies on the 3T3 cell line, both essential oil nanoemulsions showed higher cell viability than pure essential oils. At the same time, cinnamon essential oil nanoemulsions exhibited a higher antioxidant property than peppermint essential oil nanoemulsions and showed superiority in the antimicrobial susceptibility test conducted against four bacteria and two fungi. Cell viability tests determined that cinnamon essential oil nanoemulsions showed considerably higher cell viability compared to pure cinnamon essential oil. These findings indicated that the prepared nanoemulsions in the current study might positively influence the dosing regimen and clinical outcomes of antibiotic therapy.

Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) and Natural Remedies for Treatment of the Common Cold and Flu.

Traditional Iranian medicine is usually used for both prevention and relief of cold and flu symptoms in China, Iran, and many other Asian countries all over the world. There are 4 kinds of influenza viruses. Unlike type B, which may cause seasonal epidemics, type A viruses can cause pandemics, and influenza C may lead to mild human infection with little public health effects. A literature review was done by using multiple databases such as ISI Web of knowledge, PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar. The most notable antiviral medicinal plants for flu and cold are honeysuckle flowers, thyme leaf, green chiretta, andrographis, peppermint oil and leaf and calendula. The most important expectorant medicinal plants for cold and flu are snake root, tulsi, licorice root, slippery elm, clove, and sage leaf. Recommended immunostimulant medicinal plants for cold and flu are eucalyptus, Echinacea root, ginseng, garlic, slippery elm, marshmallow, Usnea lichen, Isatis root, ginger root, and myrrh resin. Iranian traditional medicine, which is one of the oldest schools of traditional medicine, is one of the main concepts of disease and health, and it can be considered as an important complementary and alternative medicine, as in some cases, modern medicine has many side effects, low efficiency, and high costs. Medicinal plants and herbs, which are included in many traditional systems, have significant and promising bioactive components in organic life.

The mechanistic insights of essential oil of Mentha piperita to control Botrytis cinerea and the prospection of lipid nanoparticles to its application

Botrytis cinerea is the phytopathogenic fungus responsible for the gray mold disease that affects crops worldwide. Essential oils (EOs) have emerged as a sustainable tool to reduce the adverse impact of synthetic fungicides. Nevertheless, the scarce information about the physiological mechanism action and the limitations to applying EOs has restricted its use. This study focused on elucidating the physiological action mechanisms and prospection of lipid nanoparticles to apply EO of Mentha piperita. The results showed that the EO of M. piperita at 500, 700, and 900 μL L−1 inhibited the mycelial growth at 100 %. The inhibition of spore germination of B. cinerea reached 31.43 % at 900 μL L−1. The EO of M. piperita decreased the dry weight and increased pH, electrical conductivity, and cellular material absorbing OD260 nm of cultures of B. cinerea. The fluorescence technique revealed that EO reduced hyphae width, mitochondrial activity, and viability, and increased ROS production. The formulation of EO of M. piperita loaded- solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) at 500, 700, and 900 μL L−1 had particle size ∼ 200 nm, polydispersity index < 0.2, and stability. Also, the thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the EO of M. piperita-loaded SLN has great thermal stability at 50 °C. EO of M. piperita-loaded SLN reduced the mycelial growth of B. cinerea by 70 %, while SLN formulation (without EO) reached 42 % inhibition. These results supported that EO of M. piperita-loaded SLN is a sustainable tool for reducing the disease produced by B. cinerea.

Mentha piperita and Thymus vulgaris ameliorate hematological changes induced by chronic consumption of oxidized palm oil in rats

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Mentha piperita L and/or Thymus vulgaris in ameliorating the hematological changes induced by chronic consumption of oxidized palm oil (OPO) in rats. Methodology: Fifty rats were divided into five groups as follows: rats received a basal diet (control), rats received a basal diet sustained with OPO, rats fed OPO and received Mentha piperita extract, rats fed OPO and received Thymus vulgaris extract, and finally rats fed OPO and received both extracts. After 6 weeks, blood samples were withdrawn and a complete blood count test was done. Results: Rats fed a diet containing OPO showed a significant decrease in red blood cells (RBCs), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), lymphocytes (LYM), and platelets (PLTs) accompanied by a significant increase in white blood cells (WBCs), red cell distribution width (RDW), and mean platelet volume (MPV) compared to rats fed a normal diet. In contrast, rats fed on diet containing OPO and the aqueous extract of either Mentha piperita or Thymus vulgaris showed a significant increase in RBCs, Hct, MCV, Hb, MCH, MCHC, LYM, and PLTs accompanied by a significant decrease in RDW, WBCs, and MPV relative to rats fed on diet containing OPO only. Treatment with a combination of both plants showed better improvements. Conclusion: Both Mentha piperita and Thymus vulgaris ameliorate the hematological changes induced by OPO.

Investigating the antifungal, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of Ocimum basilicum L. and Mentha piperita L. essential oils and their synergistic potentials with antibiotics

Investigating the antifungal, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of Ocimum basilicum L. and Mentha piperita L. essential oils and their synergistic potentials with antibiotics

Volatiles from essential oils of three Lamiaceae plants repel the winged cotton aphid, disturb its feeding behavior and reduce its fecundity.

Insects use odor detection to sense their surroundings. Use of volatile compounds, such as essential oils (EOs) of plants, to repel pests and disrupt their olfaction-driven behaviors has great practical potential for use in integrated pest management. Despite the available information on the repellent effects of EOs on herbivorous insects, the olfaction-based mechanisms remain unknown. Y-tube olfactometer tests showed that the EOs of three Lamiaceae plants - Mentha arvensis L., Mentha piperita L. and Lavandula angustifolia Mill. - were significantly repellent to winged cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover. Electrical penetration graph (EPG) tests indicated the EOs reduced phloem feeding and increased the level of non-productive probing by the aphids. The EOs also reduced the fecundity of winged Aphis gossypii. Electrophysiological bioassays and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified five physiologically active volatiles, that is menthone, isomenthone, neomenthol and menthol from Mentha piperita; menthone and menthol from Mentha arvensis; and linalool from L. angustifolia. Behavioral tests confirmed that all five compounds repelled winged Aphis gossypii. Under field conditions, the growth rate of aphid populations after 7 days was significantly lower in fields treated with these compounds than in the control fields. Our findings demonstrated that three EOs not only repelled winged Aphis gossypii but also interfered with the aphid's feeding behavior and reduced its fecundity. These EOs and their active constituents have great potential as eco-friendly control products for use against Aphis gossypii. The effects of these EOs also exceed other repellents that only keep pests away from host plants. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Changes in Physiological Traits, Gene Expression and Phytochemical Profile of Mentha piperita in Response to Elicitor.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is a perennial medicinal plant containing active ingredients that can be used for treating liver and prostate cancers, acute respiratory infections, allergies, digestive problems, neuralgia, and migraines. The objective of this research is to investigate the expression of essential genes in the menthol pathway of Mentha piperita, including Pulegone reductase (Pr), Menthofuran synthase (Mfs), and limonene synthase (Ls) using qPCR, physiological analysis and essential oil composition in response to methyl jasmonate (MeJA) (0.5mM) elicitation. Physiological analysis showed that 0.5mM MeJA triggers defensive responsiveness in Mentha piperita by increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Peroxidase (POD) enzymesactivity. The highest transcript levels of Pr and Mfs genes were observed during 8 and 12h after treatment respectively, but following 24h, they were down-regulated. Essential oil analysis indicated that the percentage of constituents in the essential oil was changed using MeJA at 48h and 96h after post-treatment. Effective antimicrobial compounds, α-pinene, β-pinene, linalool and methyl acetate, were induced after 48h. A non-significant positive relationship was detected between menthol content, and expression of the Pr and Mfs genes. Due to the significant change in the expression of Pr and Mfs genes in the menthol pathway, role of Pr gene in directing the pathway to the valuable compound menthol and deviation of the menthol pathway to the menthofuran as an undesirable component of essential oil by Mfs gene, it can be deduced that they are the most critical genes in response to MeJA treatment, which are appropriate candidates for metabolite engineering. In addition, MeJA improved defensive responsiveness and percentage of some constituents with antimicrobial properties in Mentha piperita.

Characteristics of Soft Cheese Fortified by Moringa oleifera and Mentha piperita Leaves

Characteristics of Soft Cheese Fortified by Moringa oleifera and Mentha piperita Leaves

In vitro antibacterial activity of antibiotics and plant essential oils against Escherichia coli MTCC443 supported through the molecular docking and pharmacokinetics study.

Most of the Escherichia coli turned into serious pathogens or developed antibiotic resistance, mainly due to their ability to show different phenotypic traits. In order to overcome the resistance to these antibiotics, the use of essential oils (EOs) is of great significance against highly pathogenic microorganisms. This study has been made to compare the in vitro antibacterial activity and further validated the same through the molecular docking study of 13 antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, ampicillin, cefotaxime, rifampicin, kanamycin, vancomycin, streptomycin, penicillin, nalidixic acid, trimethoprim, and polymyxin, and 10 EOs such as garlic, tulsi, neem, clove, thyme, peppermint, coriander, tea, lavender, and eucalyptus against the target protein (DNA gyrase) of E. coli MTCC443. E. coli Microbial Type Culture Collection 443 was found to be highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin (zone of inhibition [ZOI], 2.5cm ±0.1) and chloramphenicol (ZOI, 1.8cm ±0.1), whereas garlic oil (ZOI, 5.5cm ±0.1) and coriander oil (ZOI, 4.4cm ±0.1) were found comparatively most effective. Further, the in silico investigation observed the same; ciprofloxacin (binding affinity: -7.2kcal/mol) and chloramphenicol (binding affinity: -6.6kcal/mol). Penicillin (binding affinity: -4.2kcal/mol) and polymyxin (binding affinity: -0.3kcal/mol) were found to be least effective against the tested microbe, whereas vancomycin (binding affinity: +0.8kcal/mol) had no effect on it. Garlic (binding affinity: -7.8kcal/mol), coriander (binding affinity: -6.8kcal/mol), peppermint (binding affinity: -6.2kcal/mol), and neem (binding affinity: -6.2kcal/mol) oil exhibited the potent antibacterial activity against E. coli MTCC443, whereas thyme (binding affinity: -6.1kcal/mol), tea tree (binding affinity: -4.9kcal/mol), and tulsi (binding affinity: -3.8kcal/mol) oil were observed moderately effective. Eucalyptus (binding affinity: -2.9kcal/mol) and lavender (binding affinity: -2.8kcal/mol) oil were found to be the least effective among all the oils tested. The pharmacokinetics and networking were performed to the pharmacology of the potential compounds.

Neuroprotective potential of Mentha piperita extract prevents motor dysfunctions in mouse model of Parkinson's disease through anti-oxidant capacities.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the world. Neurodegeneration of the substantia nigra (SN) and diminished release of dopamine are prominent causes of this progressive disease. The current study aims to evaluate the protective potential of ethanolic extract of Mentha piperita (EthMP) against rotenone-mediated PD features, dopaminergic neuronal degeneration, oxidative stress and neuronal survival in a mouse model. Swiss albino male mice were assigned to five groups: control (2.5% DMSO vehicle), PD (rotenone 2.5 mg/kg), EthMP and rotenone (200mg/kg and 2.5mg/kg, respectively), EthMP (200 mg/kg), and Sinemet, reference treatment containing levodopa and carbidopa (20 mg/kg and rotenone 2.5mg/kg). Behavioral tests for motor functional deficit analysis were performed. Anti-oxidant capacity was estimated using standard antioxidant markers. Histopathology of the mid-brain for neurodegeneration estimation was performed. HPLC based dopamine level analysis and modulation of gene expression using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed for the selected genes. EthMP administration significantly prevented the rotenone-mediated motor dysfunctions compared to PD group as assessed through open field, beam walk, pole climb down, stepping, tail suspension, and stride length tests. EthMP administration modulated the lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, as well as glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) activities in mouse brain. EthMP extract prevented neurodegeneration in the SN of mice and partially maintained dopamine levels. The expression of genes related to dopamine, anti-oxidant potential and synapses were modulated in M. piperita (MP) extract treated mice brains. Current data suggest therapeutic capacities of MP extract and neuroprotective capacities, possibly through antioxidant capacities. Therefore, it may have potential clinical applications for PD management.

Dietary Peppermint Extract Inhibits Chronic Heat Stress-Induced Activation of Innate Immunity and Inflammatory Response in the Spleen of Broiler Chickens.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary peppermint extract (PE) on innate immunity and inflammatory responses in the spleen of broiler chickens under chronic heat stress. In order to further study the mechanism of the activation of innate immunity and inflammation induced by chronic heat stress and the regulatory effect of peppermint extract, we examined the spleen's histological change, the mRNA expression of major pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) (TLR2, TLR4, NOD1, MDA5 and DAI) and transcription factors (NF-κB, AP-1 and IRF3) and downstream inflammatory cytokines (IFN-α, IFN-β, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) of innate immune signaling pathways associated with heat stress in the spleen of broiler chickens. The results indicated that chronic heat stress damaged the spleen tissue. In addition, chronic heat stress induced the activation of innate immunity and inflammatory responses by increasing the mRNA expression of TLR2, TLR4 and DAI, mRNA expression of transcriptional factors (NF-κB, AP-1 and IRF3) and the concentration of downstream inflammatory cytokines in the spleen of broiler chickens. Dietary peppermint extract alleviated the damage of spleen tissue caused by chronic heat stress. In addition, peppermint extract reduced the mRNA expression of DAI, mRNA expression of transcriptional factors NF-κB, AP-1 and IRF3, and the concentration of inflammatory cytokines in the spleen of broiler chickens under chronic heat stress. In conclusion, dietary peppermint extract could have a beneficial effect on regulating inflammatory response and innate immunity via inhibiting the activation of NF-κB, AP-1 and IRF3 signaling pathways mediated by DAI in the spleen of broiler chickens induced by chronic heat stress.

Menthalactone from Mentha piperita L., a Monocot-Selective Bioherbicide

The challenge of managing invasive weed species continues to affect the agricultural industry, presenting ecological, economic, and agronomic hurdles that lead to over 100 billion USD in annual crop losses globally. One such concern is the management of Agrostis stolonifera L., commonly known as creeping bentgrass, particularly due to its ability to form hybrids. This scenario underscores the urgent need for innovative, effective, and environmentally sustainable herbicides, steering the focus toward natural substances as potential candidates. We report here a promising natural lactone, commonly known as menthalactone, which is derived from Mentha piperita L. Its phytotoxic activity was assessed against the monocot, bentgrass, and a dicot, lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Menthalactone displayed outstanding activity against bentgrass and was further evaluated for phytotoxic characteristics. The germination of A. stolonifera seeds was significantly inhibited with an IC50 value of 4.9 ± 1.2 µM. In contrast to bentgrass seeds, Lemna pausicostata L. plants were less responsive to menthalactone treatment, shown by an IC50 of 293.4 ± 70.6 µM. Both species are monocots, and the results suggest that menthalactone might have effects on seed germination but not on the metabolism of green tissues. The susceptibility of three common, obnoxious weed species, i.e., ryegrass (Lilium perenne), barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.), and crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.), to menthalactone was assessed. Menthalactone at 1000 µM completely inhibited the germination of all three species of grasses, while 330 µM inhibited germination by less than 50%. The post-emergence application of menthalactone at 1% did not produce a significant inhibitory effect against ryegrass, barnyard grass, or crabgrass.

Phytotherapeutic recommendations in medical guidelines for the treatment of gastroenterological diseases - a systematic review

Phytotherapeutics are gaining influence in the treatment of gastroenterological diseases. Their popularity and growing evidence of efficacy contribute to their integration into medical guidelines. A systematic screening identified recommended phytotherapeutic approaches. Based on current scientific data, some recommendations for the use of phytotherapeutic agents are given. For irritable bowel syndrome the use of peppermint oil is "strongly recommended", especially for pain and flatulence. Other phytotherapeutics such as STW-5, Tibetan Padma Lax or warm caraway oil pads have proven effective in alleviating symptoms. It is "recommended" to integrate them into the treatment concept. For chronic constipation, 30g of fiber per day is recommended. Best data exists for plantago psyllium with moderate evidence and chicory inulin. In case of ulcerative colitis, plantago psyllium as well as the combination of myrrh, chamomile flower extract, and coffee charcoal can be used as a complementary treatment in maintaining remission. There is also an "open recommendation" for curcumin for both, remission induction and maintenance. Some phytotherapeutic treatments (e.g., Artemisia absintium, Boswellia serata) show evidence of effectiveness for the treatment of Crohn's disease, but data are not yet sufficient for recommendations. Cannabis-based medicines can be considered for abdominal pain and clinically relevant appetite loss if standard therapy is ineffective or contraindicated, but they should not be used for acute inflammation in active Crohn's disease. Further recommendations for other gastroenterological diseases are discussed. The safety and tolerability of the phytotherapeutics were rated as predominantly "very good" to "acceptable". Some clear recommendations for the use of phytotherapeutics to treat gastroenterological diseases show their great potential. Due to their wide range of effects, phytotherapeutics can be used very well as a complement to conventional medicines in case of complex regulatory disorders. However, further methodologically well-conducted impact studies would be helpful in order to be able to make further recommendations.

Peppermint oil‐infused polylactic acid films: A novel approach for antimicrobial and biodegradable food packaging

AbstractExtensive research is currently dedicated to creating biodegradable packaging materials that match the qualities of traditional synthetic packaging materials. Among these options, polylactic acid (PLA) is noteworthy. PLA is a renewable‐source‐derived thermoplastic polymer with excellent barrier properties, mechanical strength, and a strong safety profile. To enhance food product shelf life, active packaging materials, incorporating functional ingredients like antimicrobials, have gained prominence. Peppermint essential oil is one such active ingredient, offering potential improvements in preserving food freshness and safety. This study's objective is to craft antimicrobial, biodegradable food packaging materials by blending peppermint oil into PLA films. Various peppermint oil concentrations (1.25%, 1.875%, and 2.5% w/v) were blended with PLA to assess their impact on opacity, water vapor permeability (WVP), mechanical and thermal properties, and antimicrobial characteristics. Higher peppermint oil concentrations increased opacity, making them advantageous for light‐sensitive food items. These films reduced WVP without affecting PLA's thermal stability. Antimicrobial effectiveness was evaluated against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), showing inhibition with 1.875% and 2.5% w/v peppermint oil concentrations. Compared to control, PLA films with peppermint oil extended the shelf life of packaged chicken breast meats from 3 to 8 days. As a result, incorporating peppermint oil into PLA films presents a promising solution for advanced antimicrobial and biodegradable food packaging.Highlights The incorporation of peppermint oil resulted in higher opacity values. Peppermint incorporated PLA films showed antimicrobial activity. Peppermint oil addition decreased water vapor permeability of PLA films. Peppermint oil added PLA films increased the shelf life of chicken meat up to 8 days.

Clinical Case Report: Use of Essential Oils in Chronic Dermal Wound

Currently, there is a trend towards adopting treatments with more natural alternative products over synthetic ones. Essential oils are known for their numerous medicinal properties (from physical to emotional issues) and have been used by the population for millennia. They contain volatile compounds that have therapeutic properties. Their complex chemical composition provides plants with adaptive advantages in their environment and can be used as important active principles in products intended for human treatment. Essential oils also have antioxidant properties, preventing cellular damage and premature aging (such as lemon, lavender, and sweet orange essential oils, for example). Regarding antimicrobial properties, various essential oils have shown activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. For example, tea tree oil has been effective against various bacteria and fungi, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Candida albicans. Additionally, essential oils are widely used for analgesic purposes, such as peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, and clove, or essential oils that can reduce anxiety, improve mood, and promote relaxation like lavender, sweet orange, bergamot, and ylang-ylang. Another interesting oil is used in important ingredients in incenses and perfumes, the extract from gum resins obtained from the Burseraceae family trees (Boswellia sp.) that have anti-inflammatory and antineoplastic effects. Chemical components like linalool, linalyl acetate, terpinen-4-ol, 1,8 cineole, pinenes, γ-terpinene, borneol, limonene, α-thujene, and menthol are some of the main components found in various essential oils. The most abundant phenol in oregano essential oil is a potent antibacterial agent. The aim was to report an individual clinical case, in home care, requested by a physical educator, of a female patient, leucoderma, 74 years old, residing in the State of São Paulo, presenting a chronic wound in the posteroinferior region of the right leg that was not responding to conventional methods (antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, analgesics, in addition to laser therapy) for more than two months. She also faced respiratory problems, sleep difficulties, mild depression, and reduced mobility. She reported being a controlled diabetic, hypertensive, and having occupational asthma. As a requested choice, aromatherapy was the sought treatment, and a protocol was established considering both physical and emotional aspects, recommending topical and aromatic use of essential oils of oregano, lavender, tea tree, frankincense, in addition to fractionated coconut and rosehip vegetable oils as diluents. After 47 days, the wound had healed, and the patient showed optimism and improved sleep quality. Aromatherapy offers a holistic and gentle approach to treating various conditions, and this case is an inspiring example of how essential oils can make a difference in people's lives. However, more clinical studies with a larger population are necessary to investigate the treatment's efficacy and safety.

Quinic and caffeic acids derivatives: Affecting antioxidant capacities and phenolics contents of certain therapeutic and specialty crops employing water and ethanolic extracts

Recently, there has been a growing interest in medicinal and specialty crops due to their high content of health-promoting compounds, such as quinic acid and caffeic acid derivatives. In light of this, the objective of this study was to analyze the levels of caffeic and quinic acid, specifically caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, in water and water-ethanolic extracts obtained from medicinal plants, including chocolate mint (Mentha piperita L), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum), and sweet potato tops (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) using high-performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that the water extracts contained significantly higher amounts of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives than the ethanolic extracts. Among the plants tested, sweetpotato leaves exhibited the highest total phenolic acids content (28.60 mg CQA·g−1), followed by lemon balm (14.71 mg CQA·g−1) and chocolate mint (5.49 mg CQA·g−1) in water-ethanolic extracts. The water-ethanolic extracts from sweet potato leaves were particularly rich in caffeoylquinic acids, especially 5-CQA (10.84 ± 0.31 mg CQA·g−1) and 3-CQA (6.69 ± 0.14 mg CQA·g−1), followed by lemon balm (3.81 ± 0.14 and 1.37 ± 0.05 mg CQA·g−1). On the other hand, sweet basil had the lowest content of all compounds (0.41 and 2.29 mg CQA·g−1). Additionally, an identifiable compound, 3, 4, 5 tri-caffeoylquinic acids (2.98 ± 0.09 mg CQA·g−1), was detected only in sweetpotato leaves and not in the other herbs studied. The findings of this study highlight the significant phytochemical properties present in these medicinal plants, which could have potential therapeutic applications for various conditions.

Modulating peppermint oil flavor release properties of emulsion-filled protein gels: Impact of cross-linking method and matrix composition

For some food applications, it is desirable to control the flavor release profiles of volatile flavor compounds. In this study, the effects of crosslinking method and protein composition on the flavor release properties of emulsion-filled protein hydrogels were explored, using peppermint essential oil as a model volatile compound. Emulsion-filled protein gels with different properties were prepared using different crosslinking methods and gelatin concentrations. Flavor release from the emulsion gels was then monitored using an electronic nose, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and sensory evaluation. Enzyme-crosslinked gels had greater hardness and storage modulus than heat-crosslinked ones. The hardness and storage modulus of the gels increased with increasing gelatin concentration. For similar gel compositions, flavor release and sensory perception were faster from the heat-crosslinked gels than the enzyme-crosslinked ones. For the same crosslinking method, flavor release and perception decreased with increasing gelatin concentration, which was attributed to retardation of flavor diffusion through the hydrogel matrix. Overall, this study shows that the release of hydrophobic aromatic substances can be modulated by controlling the composition and crosslinking of protein hydrogels, which may be useful for certain food applications.