Bergamot Essential Oil: A Method for Introducing It in Solid Dosage Forms

Abstract

Bergamot essential oil (BEO) possess antimicrobial, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, neuroprotective, and cardiovascular effects. However, it is rich in volatile compounds, e.g., limonene, that are susceptible to conversion and degradation reactions. The aim of this communication was to prepare a conjugate based on a quaternary ammonium chitosan derivative (QA-Ch) and methyl-βCD (MCD), coded as BEO/QA-Ch-MCD, to encapsulate BEO in order to stabilize its volatile compounds, eliminate its unpleasant taste, and convert the oil in a solid dosage form. The obtained conjugate, BEO/QA-Ch-MCD, was highly soluble and had a percentage of extract association efficiency (AE %), in terms of polyphenols and limonene contents, of 22.0 ± 0.9 and 21.9 ± 1.2, respectively. Moreover, stability studies under UV stress in simulated gastric fluid showed that BEO/QA-Ch-MCD was more able to protect polyphenols and limonene from degradation compared to free BEO or BEO complexed with MCD (BEO/MCD). The complexation and subsequent lyophilization allowed the transformation of a liquid into a solid dosage form capable of eliminating the unpleasant taste of the orally administered oil and rendering the solid suitable to produce powders, granules, tablets, etc. These solid oral dosage forms, as they come into contact with physiological fluids, could generate nanosized agglomerates able to increase the stability of their active contents and, consequently, their bioavailability.

Antibacterial Activity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Loaded with Essential Oils

“…The thyme essential oil was used as an antiparasitic or to treat minor wounds from ancient times due to its strong antimicrobial properties [21,22]. Lavender [23,24], grapefruit [25,26], bergamot [27,28], cinnamon [29,30], and rosemary [31,32] essential oils have strong antimicrobial activity and therefore are good candidates for innovative antibacterial and antifungal therapies and materials. Nevertheless, the essential oils must be loaded or encapsulated in a matrix, be it organic or inorganic, to ensure a longer release profile, and a sustained antimicrobial activity [33,34].…”