Oxidative stress can cause several severe ophthalmological diseases. In this study, we developed a thermosensitive gel as a delivery system for two antioxidant substances, namely, quercetin and epigallocatechin gallate. The quercetin was loaded in the PLGA nanoparticles using a solvent displacement method. The physical and chemical stability of the quercetin nanoparticles were evaluated, and the degradation kinetics of the quercetin in the nanoparticles was investigated. The in vitro antioxidant and intracellular reactive oxygen species inhibition of the quercetin nanoparticles, combined with the epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), were determined using a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay and a 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein fluorescent probes, respectively. The thermosensitive gel loaded with the quercetin nanoparticles and EGCG was formulated. We confirmed that quercetin nanoparticles displayed the desired physical characteristics, release kinetics, and stability. The combination of quercetin nanoparticles and EGCG suggested the additive effect of antioxidant activity. We also demonstrated the superior intracellular ROS inhibition activity of the quercetin nanoparticles and EGCG with n-acetyl cysteine. The thermosensitive gel showed an appropriate gelation temperature and time for ocular drug delivery. Our results provide promising prospects for applying the thermosensitive gel loaded with quercetin nanoparticles and EGCG as an efficient drug delivery system for antioxidant activity in human corneal epithelial cells.

Gymnema inodorum (Lour.) Decne or Chiang Da, the local northern Thai vegetable, is renowned for its anti-diabetic and hypoglycemic properties and is highly sought after by the functional food industry. This research investigated the relationship between the physiological characteristics, genetic variation, and chemical compositions of different Chiang Da accessions. Two commercial lines (COM1 and COM2) and eight local accessions (BAC1-8) of Chiang Da were gathered and maintained in the same study plot for the investigation of their morphological characteristics, genetic variation, and nutritional and phytochemical constituents. From the morphological data, the two commercial lines were clearly distinctive with their closely related leaf structures. Random amplification of the polymorphic illustrated the genetic diversity between the local accessions and commercial strains in a similar pattern as described by their morphology characteristics and proximate contents. The phytochemical characteristics, nonetheless, projected the two commercial lines in separate groups. The outcome of this study could be beneficial toward the selection of the Chiang Da strains with specific traits for plant breeding programs of functional food interest.

Background/Objectives: Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.) essential oil exhibits antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anesthetic activities, mainly due to eugenol, methyl eugenol, and β-caryophyllene. However, its clinical application is limited by poor water solubility, instability, and low bioavailability. This study developed and compared two delivery systems, self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) and microemulsions (ME), to enhance their stability and fish anesthetic efficacy. Methods: The optimized SNEDDS (25% basil oil, 8.33% coconut oil, 54.76% Tween 80, 11.91% PEG 400) and ME (12% basil oil, 32% Tween 80, 4% sorbitol, 12% ethanol, 40% water) were characterized for droplet size, PDI, zeta potential, pH, and viscosity. Stability was evaluated by monitoring droplet size and PDI over time and by determining the retention of eugenol, methyl eugenol, and β-caryophyllene after storage at 45 °C. Fish anesthetic efficacy was tested in koi carp (Cyprinus carpio var. koi). Results: SNEDDS maintained a small droplet size (~22.78 ± 1.99 nm) and low PDI (0.188 ± 0.088 at day 60), while ME showed significant size enlargement (up to 177.10 ± 47.50 nm) and high PDI (>0.5). After 90 days at 45 °C, SNEDDS retained 94.45% eugenol, 94.08% methyl eugenol, and 88.55% β-caryophyllene, while ME preserved 104.76%, 103.53%, and 94.47%, respectively. In vivo testing showed that SNEDDS achieved faster anesthesia (114.70 ± 24.80 s at 120 ppm) and shorter recovery (379.60 ± 15.61 s) than ME (134.90 ± 4.70 s; 473.80 ± 16.94 s). Ethanol failed to induce anesthesia at 40 ppm and performed poorly compared to SNEDDS and ME at other concentrations (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: SNEDDS demonstrated superior physical stability and fish anesthetic performance compared to ME. These findings support SNEDDS as a promising formulation for delivering holy basil essential oil in biomedical and aquaculture applications.

The objective of this research was to investigate the anesthetic properties of essential oil from Ocimum tenuiflorum L. (OTO) and Ocimum basilicum L. (OBO), which belong to the Lamiaceae family. They are used as flavoring agents, food preservatives, and traditional medicines. The serum biochemical responses were examined post-recovery to assess the impacts of anesthetics on stress levels in comet goldfish (Carassius auratus). The results revealed that OTO at concentrations of 80, 100, and 120 mg/L could induce deep anesthesia in 257 s, 170 s, and 136 s, and the recovery time was 293 s, 270 s, and 263 s, respectively. A greater concentration of OTO led to shortened induction times. OBO at 250 and 300 mg/L induced deep anesthesia in 212 s and 190 s, and the recovery time was significantly prolonged to 263 s and 554 s, respectively. Moreover, the effective concentrations (EC₅₀) within 3 min were 85.78 mg/L (OTO) and 306.49 mg/L (OBO). The blood parameters showed that the glucose and cortisol levels in only the OTO group remained significantly lower compared to all the other treatment groups. The ALT and ALP levels were elevated in the OBO group compared to those in the OTO group. In the OBO and MS-222 groups, albumin was significantly different from that in the OTO group. Moreover, the serum calcium, phosphorus, BUN, and creatinine levels were not significantly different in any of the groups. In conclusion, OTO and OBO have been shown to be efficient natural anesthetics in goldfish, with no mortality.

Background/Objectives: Shikonin is a bioactive compound with promising pharmaceutical potential, particularly for anti-inflammation and ability to inhibit proliferative scar formation. However, its applications are limited by poor photostability. Therefore, this research aimed to develop and optimize shikonin-loaded NLC to improve the photostability of shikonin. The optimized NLC formulation was subsequently incorporated into a hydrogel matrix to fabricate a dermal patch, providing a potential alternative for topical scar treatment and self-care application. Methods: Shikonin-loaded NLCs were developed, optimized, and evaluated for physicochemical properties, entrapment efficiency, photostability, and in vitro release. The optimized NLC was incorporated into a hyaluronic acid–carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel matrix to fabricate and evaluate an NLC-based dermal patch. Results: The optimized shikonin-loaded NLC exhibited a particle size of 104.94 nm with a narrow polydispersity index of 0.15, and a zeta potential of −34.34 ± 0.02 mV. The NLC achieved high entrapment efficiency (>90%). The NLC significantly enhanced the photostability of shikonin, by increasing the percentage of shikonin remaining after light exposure from 37.36 to 64.55% (p < 0.05). In addition, the cumulative shikonin release over 12 h was 15.61 ± 4.18%, following Korsmeyer–Peppas model. A combination of hyaluronic acid and carboxymethyl cellulose (1% w/w) was employed as the biopolymer for the hydrogel dermal patch. The shikonin-loaded NLC-based dermal patch exhibited favorable physicochemical characteristics. Conclusions: The NLC demonstrated enhanced photostability and release properties, which are preserved upon their integration into the hydrogel. The incorporation of shikonin-loaded NLC into a hydrogel matrix provides a viable strategy for stabilizing this light-sensitive bioactive compound. Consequently, this NLC-loaded hydrogel system represents a promising platform for future topical dermal delivery in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.