Fabrication and characterization of Agarwood extract-loaded nanocapsules and evaluation of their toxicity and anti-inflammatory activity on RAW 264.7 cells and in zebrafish embryos

Abstract

Aquilaria malaccensis has been traditionally used to treat several medical disorders including inflammation. However, the traditional claims of this plant as an anti-inflammatory agent has not been substantially evaluated using modern scientific techniques. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of Aquilaria malacensis leaf extract (ALEX-M) and potentiate its activity through nano-encapsulation. The extract-loaded nanocapsules were fabricated using water-in-oil-in-water ( w/o/w ) emulsion method and characterized via multiple techniques including DLS, TEM, FTIR, and TGA. The toxicity and the anti-inflammatory activity of ALEX-M and the extract-loaded nanocapsules (ALEX-M-PNCs) were evaluated in-vitro on RAW 264.7 macrophages and in-vivo on zebrafish embryos. The nanocapsules demonstrated spherical shape with mean particle diameter of 167.13 ± 1.24 nm, narrow size distribution (PDI = 0.29 ± 0.01), and high encapsulation efficiency (87.36 ± 1.81%). ALEX-M demonstrated high viability at high concentrations in RAW 264.7 cells and zebrafish embryos, however, ALEX-M-PNCs showed relatively higher cytotoxicity. Both free and nanoencapsulated extract expressed anti-inflammatory effects through significant reduction of the pro-inflammatory mediator nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS/IFNγ-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and zebrafish embryos in a concentration-dependent manner. The findings highlight that ALEX-M can be recognized as a potential anti-inflammatory agent, and its anti-inflammatory activity can be potentiated by nano-encapsulation. Further studies are warranted toward investigation of the mechanistic and immunomodulatory roles of ALEX-M.

Development, Optimization, and In Vitro/In Vivo Evaluation of Azelaic Acid Transethosomal Gel for Antidermatophyte Activity

“…peaks of the AzA-TEs optimized formula and the plain drug free formula were identical, which confirms that AzA was successfully encapsulated in the nanovesicles [57].…”

“…FTIR spectrum of AzA-TEs showed that the characteristic absorption peaks of AzA disappeared indicating the drug encapsulation within the nanovesicles. In addition, the peaks of the AzA-TEs optimized formula and the plain drug free formula were identical, which confirms that AzA was successfully encapsulated in the nanovesicles [ 57 ].…”

O Pentáculo Do Bem Estar Como Instrumento De Avaliação Do Modo De Vida Na Atenção Primária a Saúde

“…Os testes de toxicidade podem ser divididos em efeitos agudos e crônicos. Além da toxicidade, os potenciais efeitos antioxidantes e anti-inflamatórios foram as atividades mais investigadas dos produtos naturais em Zebrafish (PATEL et al, 2020;CERBARO et al, 2020;PIÑUEL et al, 2019;EISSA et al, 2021;LEE et al, 2017;VALLVERDÚ-QUERALT et al, 2015). Como elencado anteriormente o estresse oxidativo e a inflamação participam da fisiopatogênese de inúmeras doenças, paralelamente a isto, sabe-se que cerca de 70% dos genes humanos são encontrados no Zebrafish, fato que otimiza a mimetização de doenças e de processos que precedem doenças, como a inflamação e o estresse oxidativo.…”

“…Como elencado anteriormente o estresse oxidativo e a inflamação participam da fisiopatogênese de inúmeras doenças, paralelamente a isto, sabe-se que cerca de 70% dos genes humanos são encontrados no Zebrafish, fato que otimiza a mimetização de doenças e de processos que precedem doenças, como a inflamação e o estresse oxidativo. Diante disto, a avaliação de biomoléculas envolvidas no estresse oxidativo [EROs; AGEs; MDA; 8-OHdG; NF-KB; além de enzimas antioxidantes -superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) e glutationa S-transferase (GST)] e na inflamação (IL-6; IL-1b), possuem valor quando investigadas em Zebrafish (EISSA et al, 2021).…”

Aquilaria sinensis leaf tea affects the immune system and increases sleep in zebrafish

“…Studying the biological activity of A. sinensis leaf extract will help expand the plant’s therapeutic and medicinal potential and realize the comprehensive utilization of resources. The extracts from agarwood leaves exhibit a variety of biological activities, including antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties ( Cheng et al, 2013 ; Kamonwannasit et al, 2013 ; Eissa et al, 2021 ). Additionally, A. sinensis leaf extracts may help improve the immune response of macrophages by regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and also enhance innate immunity against infection on RAW264.7 murine macrophages.…”