My research focuses on modern pharmacognosy through the integration of green extraction techniques, advanced analytical chemistry, and metabolomic approaches. I aim to develop sustainable analytical strategies combined with chemometric tools to characterize, authenticate, and standardize medicinal plants. This interdisciplinary work supports quality control, valorization of natural resources, and international collaboration in natural product research.
Pharmacognosy natural chemistry chromatography analytical chemistry
The aim of this study was to prepare nanogels based on gelatin and xanthan-aldehyde for the enhancement of ibuprofen transdermal delivery. Firstly, the process of formulating nanogels using the reaction of Schiff’s base was optimized using experimental designs. Secondly, the structural characterization of nanogels was performed using laser particle size, zetometry, FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), SEM (scanning electron microscopy), and thermogravimetric analysis. Finally, the evaluation of pharmacological characteristics and formulation therapeutic efficacy were achieved using in vitro dissolution kinetics, ex vivo transdermal diffusion studies, and an evaluation of in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The results of the experimental plan show that the formulations containing a ratio of 15:10 ibuprofen/polymer and a ratio of 1:2 gelatin/xanthan-aldehyde with a gelling time of 2 h exhibited the best results; the formulations showed a mean diameter of 179.9 ± 6.2 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.193, which confirms monodispersed particles, a zeta potential of 24.7 mV, denoting a high degree of particle stability, and an encapsulation rate of 93.78%. The FTIR spectroscopy analysis showed the formation of imine function in the nanogel, and scanning electron microscopy showed the globular and porous form of the formulation. The incorporation of ibuprofen into nanogels improved their in vitro dissolution kinetics and ex vivo transdermal diffusion. The incorporation of nanogels into a patch system for its in vivo anti-inflammatory activity has shown excellent efficiency with a percentage of edema inhibition at a dose of 25 mg and 50 mg of 38.77 ± 1.6% and 82.03 ± 9.03%, respectively, while the commercial reference gel presented inhibition values at a dose of 25 mg and 50 mg of 10.61 ± 1.71% and 37.03 ± 11.43%, respectively. Thus, the innovative pharmaceutical form of ibuprofen offers a promising model for enhancing drug bioavailability and therapeutic effects while reducing adverse effects.
Phytoecdysteroids are known to exert a broad range of biological activities in mammals accounting for a general strengthening, adaptogenic, and anabolic activity. Our research group has recently reported the synthesis of various autoxidized bioactive metabolites of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) [1]. Time dependency of the oxidation was monitored by HPLC after neutralizing the pH, and the above-mentioned metabolites were also detected when biomimetic oxidation of 20E using the Fenton reaction was performed and the product mixture was monitored by HPLC after sample pre-purification by solid phase extraction on silica [2]. In contrast with HPLC, capillary electrophoresis (CE) does not require sample pre-treatment, and it is also less time and solvent consuming.
Abstract This study aimed to optimize microwave-assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from undervalued traditional plant Euphorbia guyoniana (Boiss. & Reut.) using central composite design of response surface methodology. The independent variables were extraction time ( x 1 : 5 – 25 min), ethanol concentration in the extractive solvent ( x 2 : 30 – 70%), microwave power ( x 3 : 180 – 800 Watt) and feed-to-solvent ratio ( x 4 : 1:7.5 – 1:17.5) while dependent variables were total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). Extract obtained by using the optimal extraction parameters was evaluated for its in vivo anti-inflammatory activity by the carrageenan-induced paw edema model and was subjected to RP-HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS analysis to investigate the presence of phenolic compounds. The optimal conditions for highest TPC (377.22 ± 5.42 mg GAE/100g) and TFC (184.40 ± 1.18 mg QE/100g) were obtained at extraction time of 25 min, ethanol concentration of 40.57%, microwave power of 450 Watt and feed-to-solvent ratio of 1:17.5. The quadratic models significantly (p < 0.0001) fitted the experimental data with R 2 values of 0.984 and 0.970 for TPC and TFC, respectively. Optimal extract of Euphorbia guyoniana significantly higher inhibited carrageenan induced inflammation with a concentration of 50 mg/kg (75,98%) when compared with reference anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen (43,77%). Finally, above the previously reported phenolic constituents, i.e, quercetin and kaempferol derivatives, hydroxycinnamates have been identified for the first time in Euphorbia guyoniana plant extract.
ABSTRACT This study aimed to optimize microwave‐assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from the undervalued traditional plant Euphorbia guyoniana (Boiss. & Reut.) using the central composite design of response surface methodology. The independent variables were extraction time, ethanol concentration in the extractive solvent, microwave power, and feed‐to‐solvent ratio while the dependent variables were total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). Extract obtained by using the optimal extraction parameters was evaluated for its in vivo anti‐inflammatory activity by the carrageenan‐induced paw edema model and was subjected to RP–HPLC–PDA–ESI–MS analysis to investigate the presence of phenolic compounds. The optimal conditions for highest TPC (377.22 ± 5.42 mg GAE/g) and TFC (184.40 ± 1.18 mg QE/g) were obtained at an extraction time of 25 min, an ethanol concentration of 40.57%, a microwave power of 450 W and a feed‐to‐solvent ratio of 1:17.5. Optimal extract of E. guyoniana significantly higher inhibited carrageenan‐induced inflammation with a concentration of 50 mg/kg (79.37%) when compared with the reference anti‐inflammatory drug ibuprofen (43.06%). Finally, above the previously reported phenolic constituents, that is, quercetin and kaempferol derivatives, hydroxycinnamates have been identified for the first time in E. guyoniana plant extract.
The purpose of the present study is to prepare anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) seeds essential oil nanoemulsions using a full factorial experimental design. Tween 80 content (0.5-1%, X1), chitosan content (0.5-1%, X2), irradiation time (60-80s, X3) and ultrasonic amplitude (35-40%, X4) were selected as independent variables whereas mean droplet size (nm, Y1) and polydispersity index (Y2) as dependent variables. The accuracy of the generated mathematical models was evaluated using multiple linear regression. Moreover, oxidative stability during storage and antimicrobial activity of free and nanoemulsion anise seeds essential oil were evaluated. Experimental selected conditions were 80s irradiation time with 40% ultrasonic amplitude, stabilized with 0.5% chitosan and 1% polysorbate 80. The obtained results indicated the perfect nanodispersion of essential oil in water. Lastly, oxidative stability determined by the primary and secondary oxidation products and antimicrobial activity of anise seeds essential oil against various Gram+ and Grammicroorganisms were significantly increased after the nanodispersion. Hence, this study concludes that the mathematically modelled formulation of anise seed essential oil nanoemulsion systems, stabilized by polysorbate 80 and chitosan, exhibited significantly improved oxidative stability and antibacterial activity compared to the free essential oil.
My research focuses on modern pharmacognosy through the integration of green extraction techniques, advanced analytical chemistry, and meta…