Enhancement of Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Optimized Niosomal Colchicine Loaded into Jojoba Oil-Based Emulgel Using Response Surface Methodology

Recent progression in investigational studies aiming to integrate natural products and plant oils in developing new dosage forms that would provide optimal therapeutic effect. Therefore, the aim of the present exploration was to inspect the influence of jojoba oil in boosting the anti-inflammatory effect of colchicine natural product. To our knowledge, there is no formulation comprising colchicine and jojoba oil together to form a niosomal emulgel preparation anticipated for topical application. Colchicine is a natural product extracted from Colchicum autumnale that has been evidenced to show respectable anti-inflammatory activity. Owing to its drawbacks and low therapeutic index, it was preferable to be formulated into topical dosage form. The current study inspected colchicine transdermal delivery by developing niosomal preparation as a potential nanocarrier included into emulgel prepared with jojoba oil. Box Behnken design was constructed to develop 17 niosomal emulgel formulations. The optimized colchicine niosomal emulgel was evaluated for its physical characteristics and in vitro release studies. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity was estimated via carrageenan-induced rat hind paw edema method. The developed colchicine niosomal preparation revealed particle size of 220.7 nm with PDI value 0.22, entrapment efficiency 65.3%. The formulation was found to be stable showing no significant difference in particle size and entrapment efficiency up on storage at 4 °C and 25 °C for 3 months. The optimized colchicine niosomal emulgel exhibited a pH value 6.73, viscosity 4598 cP, and spreadability 38.3 mm. In vitro release study of colchicine from niosomal emulgel formulation was around 52.4% over 6 h. Apparently, the proficient anti-inflammatory activity of colchicine niosomal emulgel was confirmed via carrageenan-induced rat hind paw edema test. Overall, the results recommend the combination of niosomal preparation with jojoba oil-based emulgel that might signify a favorable delivery of anti-inflammatory drug such as colchicine.

Topical Delivery of Niacinamide to Skin Using Hybrid Nanogels Enhances Photoprotection Effect

Niacinamide (NIA) has been widely used in halting the features of ageing by acting as an antioxidant and preventing dehydration. NIA’s physicochemical properties suggest difficulties in surpassing the barrier imposed by the stratum corneum layer to reach the target in the skin. To improve cutaneous delivery of NIA, a hybrid nanogel was designed using carrageenan and polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers combined with jojoba oil as a permeation enhancer. Three different types of transethosomes were prepared by the thin-film hydration method, made distinct by the presence of either an edge activator or a permeation enhancer, to allow for a controlled delivery of NIA. Formulations were characterized by measurements of size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and loading capacity, and by evaluating their chemical interactions and morphology. Skin permeation assays were performed using Franz diffusion cells. The hybrid hydrogels exhibited robust, porous, and highly aligned macrostructures, and when present, jojoba oil changed their morphology. Skin permeation studies with transethosomes-loaded hydrogels showed that nanogels per se exhibit a more controlled and enhanced permeation, in particular when jojoba oil was present in the transethosomes. These promising nanogels protected the human keratinocytes from UV radiation, and thus can be added to sunscreens or after-sun lotions to improve skin protection.

Quality by Design for Optimizing a Novel Liposomal Jojoba Oil-Based Emulgel to Ameliorate the Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Brucine

One of the recent advancements in research is the application of natural products in developing newly effective formulations that have few drawbacks and that boost therapeutic effects. The goal of the current exploration is to investigate the effect of jojoba oil in augmenting the anti-inflammatory effect of Brucine natural alkaloid. This is first development of a formulation that applies Brucine and jojoba oil int a PEGylated liposomal emulgel proposed for topical application. Initially, various PEGylated Brucine liposomal formulations were fabricated using a thin-film hydration method. (22) Factorial design was assembled using two factors (egg Phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol concentrations) and three responses (particle size, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release). The optimized formula was incorporated within jojoba oil emulgel. The PEGylated liposomal emulgel was inspected for its characteristics, in vitro, ex vivo and anti-inflammatory behaviors. Liposomal emulgel showed a pH of 6.63, a spreadability of 48.8 mm and a viscosity of 9310 cP. As much as 40.57% of Brucine was released after 6 h, and drug permeability exhibited a flux of 0.47 µg/cm2·h. Lastly, % of inflammation was lowered to 47.7, which was significant effect compared to other formulations. In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory influence of jojoba oil and Brucine was confirmed, supporting their integration into liposomal emulgel as a potential nanocarrier.

Biodiesel yield enhancement through optimizing process parameters with assistance of solar energy—Taguchi and response surface methodology application

In today’s scenario, biodiesel is one of the best alternatives to diesel for application as an eco-friendly product. In this work, jojoba oil is transesterified using solar energy for heating purposes. A solar parabolic trough collector having 6.4 m2 and 89% reflectivity is used to concentrate solar rays on a sealed container containing jojoba oil and catalyst-alcohol mixture, placed at the focus of the dish. The performance parameters like molar ratio (MR), reaction time (RT), and catalyst concentration (CC) are optimized. The result showed the highest yield of 89.67% at the optimum condition of molar ratio 9:1, reaction time 120 min, and catalyst concentration 0.8 wt.%. The highest contribution of 55.13% is measured for the molar ratio, followed by reaction time and catalyst concentration. Later, the interaction between MR, RT, and CC is established by response surface/contour plots; and their effects on biodiesel yield are discussed. Subsequently, the various physicochemical properties of raw jojoba oil and jojoba oil methyl ester are also measured and discussed as per ASTM standards. The unsaturated acid content in the biodiesel is also measured by gas chromatography. Hence, the blends of linseed oil with diesel fuel can be used in the IC engines with little or no modifications in engine parameters. Therefore, the use of solar energy could effectively reduce the use of electricity to cut down the processing cost in biodiesel production. Also, the methods should be established for methanol recovery from glycerine.

Jojoba - The Gold of Desert

Jojoba [Simmondsia chinensis (Link) Schneider] is evergreen, perennial and drought resistant shrub belongs to the family of Simmondsiaceae. It is a multipurpose oil seed crop mainly grown in desert regions of world. This plant has unique oil among plant kingdom which is chemically a liquid-wax. The liquid-wax is made up of an ester of long chain fatty acids and alcohols. The liquid-wax is unique in nature because have no traces of glycerine and easily modified via hydrolysis, hydrogenation, halogenation, sulfurization, phosphosulfurization and ozonization techniques. The main uses of liquid-wax in various industries like cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals and lubricants. It is a potential seed oil crop for desert region so it is well known as the gold of desert. The main purpose of this chapter is to review the complete information about this plant so that it can produce and utilized maximally. Moreover, the review focuses on biology, biogeography, physico-chemical properties of jojoba oil and propagation techniques of the plant of desert regions.