Essential oils, as secondary metabolites, are extensively studied for their health benefits and therapeutic applications. This study investigates the chemical composition of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil, identifying its major compounds using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The analysis revealed that 1,8-cineole (45.78

Controlled drug release systems play a crucial role in enhancing therapeutic effectiveness while reducing side effects. This study dives deep into the dynamics of drug diffusion within a cylindrical matrix, employing both analytical and numerical methods. An axisymmetric transient diffusion model, governed by Fick's second law in cylindrical coordinates, was developed to predict spatiotemporal drug concentration profiles. The analytical solution, derived using separation of variables and Bessel functions, was cross-validated with the finite element method (FEM) simulations in COMSOL. Experimental dissolution was conducted under USP Apparatus II (paddle) conditions for diclofenac sodium tablets (75 and 100 mg) and data were fitted to the model, enabling precise determination of diffusion coefficients (8-10 x 10- 1 1 m2/s). Parametric analyses showed that higher diffusion coefficients lead to faster drug depletion, while higher initial concentrations extend the release kinetics. The strong alignment between analytical predictions, numerical results, and experimental data underscores the model's robustness in describing Fickian diffusion mechanisms. This work provides a validated framework for optimizing cylindrical drug delivery systems, with implications for personalized pharmaceutical design.

Camptothecin is one of the most potent inhibitors of DNA topoisomerase I ever discovered and represents a cornerstone scaffold for anticancer drug development. However, its clinical translation has historically been limited by extreme hydrophobicity and rapid hydrolysis of the lactone ring, resulting in poor stability and unfavorable pharmacokinetics. This review examines the evolution of camptothecin therapeutics from early water soluble derivatives to advanced nanoliposomal delivery systems. Particular attention is given to liposome engineering strategies that stabilize the lactone form, improve drug solubility, and enable controlled tumor targeted delivery. The clinically approved nanoliposomal irinotecan formulation ONIVYDE achieves optimized pharmacokinetics by prolonging systemic circulation and extending the half-life of its active metabolite SN-38 to approximately 48 h. Evidence from 152 studies published between 1966 and 2026 is analyzed, covering structure activity relationships, liposome design, scalable manufacturing approaches, and clinical validation including the NAPOLI trial. Liposomal camptothecin formulations represent a successful example of how nanotechnology can revitalize pharmacologically limited natural products. Emerging strategies, including : magnetic targeting, thermosensitive liposomes, and artificial intelligence–driven formulation design may significantly expand therapeutic windows. Integrating molecular pharmacology, and nanocarrier engineering is expected to further establish liposomal camptothecin therapeutics as versatile platform in modern cancer nanomedicine. Liposomal encapsulation stabilizes the hydrolytically vulnerable lactone ring of camptothecin, extending its half-life from minutes to hours. ONIVYDE (nanoliposomal irinotecan) is the first and only FDA-approved liposomal Camptothecin formulation, demonstrating significant survival benefit in metastatic pancreatic cancer (NAPOLI-1 and NAPOLI-3 trials). Active loading via transmembrane ion gradients achieves greater than 95

This study presents a sustainable strategy for converting food waste into high-performance active packaging materials through the eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Tomato waste extracts were employed as natural reducing agents for the biosynthesis of AgNPs, which were then incorporated into alginate, a biodegradable polymer matrix. Comprehensive statistical analyses (one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s post hoc test, p < 0.05) confirmed that the incorporation of AgNPs (0–4

This study investigates the chemical composition and cytotoxic potential of Artemisia herba-alba essential oil (EO) through a combined in silico and in vitro approach using bull spermatozoa. FT-IR and GC-MS analyses revealed that the EO was dominated by monoterpenes, with 78 compounds identified. The main constituents were camphor (17.38%), chrysanthenone (12.52%), trans-thujone (8.08%), and cis-thujone (7.98%). Molecular docking showed that cis- and trans-thujone had the strongest affinities toward seminal proteins (1SFP and 1H8P) with binding energies between -5.8 and - 5.2 kcal/mol, whereas camphor displayed weaker interactions. In vitro assays confirmed that EO cytotoxicity likely arises from synergistic effects among its volatile components, while camphor alone exerts a protective effect on sperm membranes, enhancing motility. These findings highlight the link between composition and biological activity of A. herba-alba EO and support its potential use in safer formulations, particularly encapsulated systems such as cyclodextrins or liposomes, for future pharmacological applications.

Thymus, Satureja, and Monarda are three plant genera, belonging to the Lamiaceae family, that are particularly valued for their essential oils (EOs) abundant in phenolic terpenoids. In this study, a botanical characterization of the following eight Eastern European cultivars (some of them newly bred) grown in Ukraine is distinguished: Thymus vulgaris (‘Yalos’, ‘101’), Thymus richardii (‘Fantasia’), Satureja montana (‘Krymsky smaragd’, ‘Lunata’, ‘4-18’), Monarda fistulosa (‘Premiera’), and Monarda × hybrida hort., which is a Monarda didyma × Monarda fistulosa hybrid (‘Tonya’). The EO of those cultivars was obtained and characterized in detail using GC-MS and GC-FID. Additionally, some biological activities of these oils were tested. Antimicrobial activity was verified against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans using disk diffusion and microdilution methods. Furthermore, some preliminary tests were performed on the motility of bull sperm using the CASA system. All the Thymus cultivars were very rich in thymol (57.99–67.62%), and all the S. montana cultivars were very abundant in carvacrol (62.22–75.53%). M. fistulosa cv. ‘Premiera’ contained mainly thymol (49.87%), and M. × hybrida cv. ‘Tonya’ contained both thymol (46.70%) and carvacrol (10.37%). All the tested EOs, as well as thymol and carvacrol, exhibited strong antibacterial and antifungal action with minimal inhibitory concentrations ranging from <0.25–0.5 mg/mL for Satureja, through <0.25–0.5 mg/mL for Monarda, to 0.5–4 mg/mL for Thymus. The EOs, at a concentration of 0.4 µL/mL, exhibited cytotoxicity towards bull spermatozoa when compared to the control sample.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) exhibit significant potential to inhibit microbial growth and demonstrate strong toxicity against microorganisms on artificial surfaces, including those exposed to seawater. The green synthesis of AgNPs offers a sustainable approach with applications in various fields, particularly in active packaging. In this study, AgNPs were synthesised using tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) waste extract as a reducing and stabilising agent through a biological synthesis method. The synthesised AgNPs were characterised using several analytical techniques. Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy confirmed their formation by detecting a distinct surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy identified functional groups responsible for reducing Ag + ions to Ag 0 . X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the crystalline structure and spherical shape of the nanoparticles, while optical microscope analysis revealed spherical particle sizes smaller than 1 μm. The total flavonoid and phenolic content, along with total antioxidant capacity, demonstrated that the tomato waste extract obtained by maceration (TWEM) acts as a powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger. The synthesised AgNPs exhibited notable antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus , Bacillus subtilis , and Escherichia coli , as well as antifungal activity against Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus niger . These findings suggest that AgNPs derived from tomato waste extracts can serve as effective, economical, antibacterial, and antifungal agents for diverse applications, including active packaging and environmental protection.

Background: Coffee capsules are increasingly consumed worldwide and represent a complex source of bioactive compounds, notably caffeine (stimulant), caffeic acid (antioxidant), and acrylamide (toxicant). Aims: The objectives of this investigation were twofold: (i) assess total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity, pH, and browning index, across seven commercial capsule products (comprising six Algerian brands widely consumed locally and one European comparator with undisclosed blend/roast); and (ii) to develop and validate an HPLC – Diode Array Detection (DAD) procedure for the simultaneous determination of caffeine, caffeic acid, and acrylamide , serving as joint indicators of product quality and safety. Methods: The TPC was determined employing the Folin–Ciocalteu method, while antioxidant activity was assessed by the DPPH radical scavenging assay. The simultaneous quantification of caffeine, caffeic acid, and acrylamide were performed by a validated HPLC – DAD procedure in accordance with International Council for Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. Results: The resulting coffee brews exhibited pH values ranging from 5.64 to 6.25 and browning indices between 0.280 and 0.482, reflecting roasting differences. Despite a modest TPC (0.9 to 2 mg GAE/g), the antioxidant activity was high, (up to 95.3% inhibition DPPH). Caffeine was consistently detected (0.05 – 0.33 mg/25 mL), confirming its stimulant role. Caffeic acid was present in lower concentrations (0.001 – 0.14 mg/25 mL), contributed to the antioxidant potential. In contrast, acrylamide was detected in all analyzed samples ranging from 4.75 to 28.15 µg/25 mL). On a dry coffee basis, these concentrations correspond to 458 – 4023 µg/kg. A majority of the capsules yielded levels that exceed the European Commission’s benchmark of 400 µg/kg for roasted coffee, thereby underscoring consumer-relevant exposure level and raising toxicological concern. Conclusions: Coffee capsule brews demonstrated notable antioxidant capacity despite modest TPC, with caffeine ubiquitous and caffeic acid detectable. The presence of acrylamide was confirmed in all samples at levels that warrant monitoring. The validated HPLC–DAD workflow enables the simultaneous determination of these markers and offers a robust basis for integrated quality control and risk assessment in encapsulated coffee products. Keywords: Coffee capsule; Antioxidant activity; High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC); Caffeic acid; Caffeine; Acrylamide.

Camphor, a crystalline white substance with diverse biological benefits, faces limitations in human health applications due to its volatile and hydrophobic nature, which impedes its solubility and stability. This study addresses these challenges by investigating the encapsulation of camphor within various cyclodextrins (CDs), particularly focusing on α-cyclodextrin (α-CD), to enhance its solubility and protect it from environmental degradation. The formation of camphor-CD inclusion complexes was confirmed through a combination of infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Among the CDs tested, α-CD demonstrated the highest efficiency, achieving a solubility coefficient of 23.38 M⁻¹ and inclusion efficiencies of 24.37

Background: A simple, fast, precise, accurate, and responsive high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of caffeic acid, caffeine, and acrylamide in coffee beverages. Aims: The chromatographic separation was achieved using a reversed-phase C-18 column (150 x 4.6 mm, 5 µm) with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of methanol: water (40:60, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min. Detection was performed at a wavelength of 210 nm, and an injection volume of 20 μl was used. Patients and Methods: The method was validated following the guidelines of the International Council for Harmonization (ICH). Specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, and detection and quantitation limits were assessed. The method demonstrated good linearity for caffeic acid, caffeine, and acrylamide over a wide concentration range. Results: The percentage recoveries were found to be between 98.19% - 100.77% and 98.59% - 100.75% for the analytes. The percentage of relative standard deviation (RSD) was below 2% for intra-day and 2 % for inter-day variability. Limits of detection were determined to be 0.002 mg/mL for caffeic acid, 0.026 mg/mL for caffeine, and limits of quantitation were 0.006 mg/mL for caffeic acid and 0.086 mg/mL for caffeine. Conclusions: This method offers a simple, rapid, and highly accurate means of simultaneously assaying caffeic acid, caffeine, and acrylamide in various coffee beverages, making it suitable for routine quality control and safety assessment in the coffee industry.

Alginate is a multifunctional biopolymer employed in diverse applications, particularly in delivery systems that safeguard bioactives in acidic environments. Chitosan demonstrates various functionalities, including enhanced mucoadhesion and the facilitation of controlled release in alkaline conditions. Current research focuses on encapsulating essential oils in alginate and chitosan. The study aimed to encapsulate Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil within the alginate-chitosan sphere to enhance its physical properties and investigate the protective effects of alginate-chitosan Rosmarinus essential oil particles during sperm cryopreservation. The effects of factors influencing cell motility were optimized and modeled using response surface methodology and artificial neural networks. Results indicated a high goodness of fit for the artificial neural network model with an R2 of 0.999, compared to 0.991 for the response surface methodology. The optimal solution involved 2 g of alginate, 1.05 g of chitosan, and 80 μl of Rosmarinus essential oil. The optimal formulation was characterized by assessing drug entrapment efficiency, drug-excipient interaction, swelling index, and lipid peroxidation state. At pH 6.8, alginate-chitosan-Rosmarinus essential oil particles exhibited a significant swelling index. These findings suggest that the formation of alginate-chitosan through cross-linking holds promise for solubilizing and delivering Rosmarinus essential oil to sperm under cryopreservation conditions. Adding alginate-chitosan-Rosmarinus essential oil complex to the extender enhances its ability to remove free radicals and thus protects sperm during the cryopreservation process. A methodological approach utilizing either response surface methodology or artificial neural networks can establish alginate-chitosan encapsulation effectively. Importantly, the artificial neural network model outperformed response surface methodology in prediction and optimization accuracy.

Nigella sativa oil (NSO) and its essential oil (NSEO) have long been used in traditional treatment for various ailments. However, in practice, these substances are limited by their limited solubility in water, instability, and low bioavailability. Encapsulation has emerged as a promising solution for addressing these issues. This review is dedicated to the chemical composition of Nigella crude and essential oils, the exploration of their encapsulation system preparation methods, and a comprehensive examination of their potential applications across the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. This exhaustive survey serves as an invaluable resource for researchers, professionals, and students with a keen interest in the encapsulation of N. sativa using cyclodextrins and liposomes.

ABSTRACT Propolis, a bee product, is renowned globally for its diverse pharmacological activities attributed to its phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and terpenes. This study aims to identify the chemical compounds in Algerian raw propolis and evaluate the protective potential of its inclusion complex. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used for chemical characterization. Additionally, molecular docking against SARS‐COVID‐2 main proteases and ADMET profiling were conducted. The analysis revealed α‐pinene (25.29%–11.04%) and limonene (22.46%–12.88%) as the major components in raw propolis and its complex. DSC/TGA analysis demonstrated the protective effect of encapsulated molecules, with limonene and α‐pinene showing high activity against SARS‐COVID‐2 main proteases 7N5Z, 6LU7, and 7E6L, with docking scores of −5.71, −5.61, and −5.10 kcal/mol, respectively. This study highlights the potential of propolis constituents as drug candidates against the SARS‐COVID‐2 pandemic.

In this study, we investigated the impact of surface treatment on polylactic acid (PLA)/sawdust fiber (SF) composites. Utilizing a 20% weight-to-weight ratio of agricultural waste, three distinct chemical modification approaches were employed to treat the sawdust, with the aim of enhancing the compatibility between the PLA matrix and the wood fibers. The treatments included alkali-, benzoyl chloride-, and permanganate-treated SFs. The results demonstrated an increase in rigidity with alkali treatment, while composites treated with benzoyl chloride and permanganate exhibited improved ductility. However, the thermal stability of the treated fiber composites was reduced. Comparative analysis revealed that wood fibers treated with sodium hydroxide and permanganates exhibited superior dispersion in the PLA matrix compared to fibers treated with benzoyl chloride. Beyond these findings, this assessment carries significant implications for sustainable material development, since the utilization of agricultural waste provides an alternative composite material for construction or industrial applications. The study's outcomes contribute to the ongoing quest for eco-friendly solutions in material science and offer practical insights for selecting the most suitable composite material based on specific applications and industry needs.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin E (α‐tocopherol) and cholesterol are crucial components in cellular protection and physiological processes. Their uses in biological media face challenges due to their poor solubility and stability. OBJECTIVE: The study investigated the complex interactions of these bioactive compounds in various encapsulation systems of cyclodextrin and liposome, as well as dispersion in PEG-6000, in an attempt to improve the viability, motility, and preservation of ovine sperm cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The work explored the in vitro dissolution kinetics of vitamin E (α‐tocopherol) and cholesterol using semi-empirical models. RESULTS: The release profiles of VitE and Chl varied considerably, depending on the specific carrier systems. For liposome-loaded VitE and Chl, the Korsmeyer-Peppas model gave the best fit; for CD/VitE and CD/Chl, the Higuchi model provided the best fit, whereas for PEG-6000 dispersions (VitE and Chl) both the Higuchi and Korsmeyer-Peppas models demonstrated the excellent fit. All systems indicated a Fickian diffusion mechanism dictated by the concentration gradient. The delivery of VitE and Chl with CD, liposome and PEG dispersion significantly increased sperm mobility and motility. The effect on the VCL parameter was the greatest by liposome-loaded VitE and Chl, followed by CD encapsulation and PEG-6000 dispersion. CONCLUSION: The dynamics of vitamin E and cholesterol within innovative delivery systems offers valuable insights into the development of advanced solutions in reproductive health, particularly on improving the viability, motility of refrigerated ovine sperm cells.

BACKGROUND Camptothecin (CPT) is an anticancer drug, and is not employed in the clinic because of its high hydrophobicity and low active form stability. CPT may also have potential for use in cold preservation. OBJECTIVE To overcome these drawbacks, CPT solubility variations in the presence of cyclodextrins (CDs) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were evaluated by Higuchi solubility experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS CPT was encapsulated in different cyclodextrins and polyethylene glycol using a co-evaporation method. The CPT interactions with CDs and PEG 6000 were investigated by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). Then, CPT complexes were evaluated for in-vitro drug release. To evaluate the potential anticancer efficacy of the CPT complexes system, in-vitro cytotoxicity studies on human red blood cells were carried out using UV assay. The impact of the CPT complex systems on sperm motility protection during cold preservation at 4 degree C was studied using CASA. RESULTS The dissolution profile of these preparations shows the improvement of the dissolution of the CPT following a fickien diffusion. The CPT solubility and stability improvement were the cause of the cytotoxicity on the red blood cells test. However, CPT alone, encapsulated, dispersed, and chemically modified protected spermatozoids during cold preservation. CONCLUSION We confirm the interest in CPT encapsulated and dispersed in anticancer treatments. We also found that CPT encapsulated or dispersed could protect sperm against oxidative damage and improve the membrane integrity of human sperm. Consequently, CPT encapsulated our dispersed could eventually be beneficial for infertility therapy. Doi: 10.54680/fr23210110712.

The long-term biodistribution of non-biodegradable microstructures or nanostructures used in vaccinations is widely unknown. This is the case for aluminum oxyhydroxide, the most widely used vaccine adjuvant, which is a nanocrystalline compound that spontaneously forms nanoprecipitates. Although generally well-tolerated, aluminum oxyhydroxide is detected in macrophages a long time after vaccination in individuals predisposed to the development of systemic and neurological aspects of the autoimmune (inflammatory) syndrome induced by modified adjuvant. In the present study, we established that the terminal sterilization of aluminum oxyhydroxide by autoclaving in final container vials produced measurable changes in its physicochemical properties. Moreover, we found that these changes included (1) a decreasing in the pH of aluminum oxyhydroxide solutions, (2) a reduction in the adsorption capacity of bovine serum albumin, (3) a shift in the angle of X-ray diffraction, (4) a reduction in the lattice spacing, causing the crystallization and biopersistence of modified aluminum oxyhydroxide in the macrophage, as well as in muscle and the brain.

Propolis is composed of several bioactive compounds, which give it many beneficial biological effects. The use of cyclodextrins (CDs) is necessary when aiming to enhance the stability, absorption, and solubility of these substances in physiological media. The purpose of the present work is to study solubility diagrams of propolis extract of Melbou region (PEM) in the presence of CDs: alpha-CD, beta-CD, and PM-beta CD, then to formulate an optimized preparation of the inclusion complex using a D-optimal experimental design with three factors (ratio, ethanol solvent, and temperature). The optimal formulation is characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cytotoxic and protective effects of the optimal formulation are evaluated in vitro against human red blood cells (RBCs) and beef sperm. The results show that PM-beta CD is more efficient, this is confirmed with an optimal formulation that obtained using 40 mL of solvent, a temperature of 40 degrees C with 1:1 stoichiometry. The cytotoxicity tests revealed that PEM and its inclusion complex are non-toxic to RBCs and can maintain sperm conservation. It is concluded that PM-beta CD is more suitable to improve the solubility and stability of PEM constituents, and their non-toxic effect has been approved.

Nanotechnology is an emerging field in the food industry that will be important for future industrial production to address rising customer concerns and expectations for natural, nutritious, and healthful food items. People are increasingly motivated to purchase unprocessed food or even high-quality processed foods with minimum chemical additives, highlighting the need to investigate natural alternatives for commercial purposes. Natural compounds are becoming more popular among consumers since they are safer than synthetic chemical additions; however, their most functional compounds are sensitive to the adverse conditions of processing and the digestive tract, impairing their use in food matrices, and industrial-scale applications. Nowadays, nanoencapsulation of natural products can be the most suitable nanotechnology to improve stability, solubility, and bioavailability. The nanostructure can be incorporated into food during production, processing, packaging, and security. Despite the many studies on nanoencapsulation, there is still some misunderstanding about nanoencapsulation systems and preparation techniques. This review aims to categorize different nanoencapsulation techniques (chemical, physicochemical, and physicomechanical), highlight eco-friendly methods, and classify the nanoencapsulation systems as groups (polymer, lipidic and metallic). The current review summarizes recent data on the nanoencapsulation of natural compounds in the food industry that has been published since 2015 until now. Finally, this review presents the challenges and future perspectives on the nanoencapsulation of bioactive compounds in food science.