Zohreh Karimi Taheri, Mohammad Hosein Aarabi, Ali Nazari Alam, Majid Nejati, Mohammad Shayestehpour, Hamid Reza Gilasi, Afshin Salehi, Mohammad Esmaeil Shahaboddin,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (April & May 2021)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Despite the anti-cancer and antimicrobial properties of licorice extract and lavender essential oil, some factors, such as low bioavailability and biodegradable, limit their therapeutic use. Using nanoparticles is a method to overcome these restrictions. This study aimed to investigate the anti-proliferative effects of nanoemulsion containing licorice extract and lavender essential oil on cancer cells; we also evaluated its antimicrobial properties in vitro.
Methods & Materials: In this experimental study, nanoemulsions, containing licorice extract and lavender essential oil were developed by the spontaneous emulsion method. The anti-proliferative effect of nanoemulsion was investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric method on two cell lines HepG2 and SK-MEL-3. To measure the antimicrobial effect of 4 standard strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) method was used.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Kashan University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.KAUMS.MEDNT.REC.1396.106).
Results: The results of MTT test on HepG2 cells indicated that the concentrations of 630, 1250, and 2500 μg/mL nanoemulsions caused toxicity to the cell and led to the death of >50% of the cells (IC50=401μg/mL; P<0.05). Evaluating SK-MEL3 cells revealed that except for 75 μg of nanoemulsion, other concentrations induced death in >50% of the cells (IC50 = 82 μg/mL; P<0.05). In addition, nanoemulsions, with antimicrobial properties, were studied in 4 strains of bacteria; the highest antimicrobial properties were observed in Staphylococcus epidermidis.
Conclusion: Nanoemulsion containing licorice extract and lavender essential oil presents antimicrobial and antiproliferative effects on the two cell lines studied. The current study results indicated that the nano emulsification of lavender essential oil and licorice extract can enhance their biological impact; thus, they can be used as a drug formulation.
Mojgan Mohammadifar, Fereshteh Bahmani, Alireza Abed, Gholamali Hamidi, Mohammad Hossein Aarabi, Sayyed Alireza Talaei,
Volume 28, Issue 4 (10-2025)
Abstract
Introduction: The analgesic effects of rosemary and peppermint essential oils have been shown in many studies. Low solubility of essential oils in water and low bioavailability limit their consumption, and nanoparticles can help solve these limitations. This study aimed to investigate the analgesic effect of a nanoemulsion containing rosemary and peppermint essential oils in a rat model of neuropathic pain.
Methods: Forty male rats were assigned to four groups: control (CON), neuropathic pain received normal saline (NPS), nanoemulsion (NPN), or gabapentin (NPG). Neuropathic pain was induced using the CCI model. Animals received a nanoemulsion containing 10% rosemary extract and peppermint essential oil via gavage for 21 days. Behavioral tests (Thermal Hyperalgesia, Thermal Allodynia, and Mechanical Allodynia) were done on days 1, 4, 7, 14, and 21 of the study. Biochemical tests were also done on the sciatic nerve of animals at the end of the study.
Results: The NPS rats had a significantly increased pain threshold compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the analgesic potential of nanoemulsion containing rosemary and peppermint essential oils was seen in allodynia and hyperalgesia tests. Biochemical analyses showed that CCI reduced total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activity, and also increased MDA levels in the rats' sciatic nerve (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). Administering nanoemulsion containing rosemary and peppermint essential oils reversed all the above-mentioned changes in the biochemical parameters (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: Our findings revealed that treating rats with a nanoemulsion containing rosemary and peppermint essential oils can reduce neuropathic pain symptoms by balancing their sciatic nerve's oxidant and antioxidant systems.
