Apium graveolens (celery) is an edible and traditionally medicinal plant that is used worldwide, among others for the treatment of hypertension. Combining celery with antihypertensive drugs can affect the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the latter drugs. The aim of the study is to assess the effects of administrating the celery extract on captopril pharmacokinetics. Sprague-Dawley strain rats were divided into two groups (n = 6). Group I was given captopril (10 mg/kg Body Weight (BW)) orally, while Group II was pretreated with celery extract orally (40 mg/kg BW) an hour before administration of captopril. The blood samples were withdrawn at various intervals after drug administration. The captopril concentration was determined using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and from the blood data, the values of Ke, Cmax, Tmax, T1/2, and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated. The results showed that oral administration of the celery extract increased Cmax (38.67%), T1/2 (37.84%), and AUC (58.10%) and decreased Ke (27.45%) of captopril in Group II (celery + captopril) compared with Group I (captopril). In conclusion, celery extract can alter the pharmacokinetic of captopril when given in combination. The combination might be beneficial for the treatment of hypertension, as celery causes an increase in the plasma level of captopril, which can enhance its efficacy.

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Objective: White mulberry (Morus alba) root extract has terpenoid, flavonoid, and stilbene compounds. The stilbenes, oxyresveratrol and resveratrol, have antioxidant and antityrosinase activities. Nanocarriers can help active ingredients to be delivered in a more efficient manner. The advantages of nanoemulsion on products include increased penetration, biocompatibility, and low toxicity due to its non-ionic properties and have the ability to combine the properties of lipophilic and hydrophilic active ingredients. The objective of this study was to prepare, characterize, and evaluate the in vitro skin penetration of M. alba root extract nanoemulsion. Methods: The M. alba root extract was prepared by ionic liquid-based microwave-assisted extraction method. Nanoemulsion was optimized and prepared using virgin coconut oil (VCO), Tween 80, and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400) by aqueous phase-titration method to construct pseudoternary phase diagram. M. alba root extract nanoemulsion was characterized for droplet size, viscosity, zeta potential, and physical stability tests for 12 weeks. In vitro skin penetration of oxyresveratrol from nanoemulsion was determined by the Franz diffusion cell and was compared by macroemulsion preparation, then analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography method. Results: Based on pseudoternary phase diagram, nanoemulsion of white mulberry root extract contained of 2% VCO and 18% mixture of surfactant Tween 80 and PEG 400 (1:1) was chosen. Nanoemulsion has average globule size of 81.61 nm, with polydispersity index 0.22, and potential zeta −1.56 mV. The cumulative penetration of oxyresveratrol from nanoemulsion was 55.86 μg/cm2 with flux of 6.53 μg/cm2/h, while regular emulsion was 32.45 μg/cm2 with flux of 3.5501 μg/cm2/h. Conclusion: Nanoemulsion of white mulberry root extract was penetrated deeper than regular emulsion.