Title:Capsicum annuum Oleoresin Nanoemulgel - Design Characterization and In
vitro Investigation of Anticancer and Antimicrobial Activities
Volume: 30
Issue: 2
Author(s): Ahmad M. Eid*, Hiba Natsheh*, Linda Issa, Majdulin Zoabi, Monia Amer, Effat Mahamid and Ahmed Mousa
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Keywords:
C. annuum oleoresin, anticancer, antimicrobial, nanoemulgel, self-emulsifying system, bioactive materials.
Abstract: Background: The use of naturally occurring bioactive materials is getting great attention owing to
their safety and environmental properties. Oily compounds, known as oleoresins, are expected to provide an
important source for the natural products industry aiming to develop novel treatments for skin conditions.
In this work, Capsicum annuum oleoresin nanoemulgel formulations have been prepared and investigated for
their antibacterial and anticancer properties.
Methodology: Several C. annuum oleoresin nanoemulgel formulations were prepared by incorporating a Carbopol
940 gel in a self-nanoemulsifying nanoemulsion consisting of C. annuum, tween 80, and span 80. The
systems were characterized for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and rheology. The in
vitro antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of the optimum formulation were evaluated.
Results: The selected formulation is composed of 40% tween, 10% span 80, and 40% C. annuum oleoresin.
This formulation produced a stable nanoemulsion with a narrow PDI value of 0.179 ± 0.08 and a droplet size
of 104.0 ± 2.6 nm. Results of the in vitro antimicrobial studies indicated high potency of the systems against
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (zone of inhibition of 29 ± 1.9 mm), E. coli (33 ± 0.9
mm), K. pneumonia (30 ± 1.4 mm), and C. albicans (21 ± 1.5 mm), as compared to the reference antibiotic,
ampicillin (18 ± 1.4 mm against K. pneumonia), and antifungal agent, fluconazole (12 ± 0.1 mm against C. albicans).
Furthermore, cytotoxicity results, expressed as IC50 values, revealed that the oleoresin and its nanoemulgel
had the best effects against the HepG2 cell line (IC50 value of 79.43 μg/mL for the nanoemulgel) and
MCF7 (IC50 value of 57.54 μg/mL), and the most potent effect was found against 3T3 (IC50 value of 45.7 μg/m-
L). On the other side, the system did not substantially exhibit activity against By-61 and Hela.
Conclusion: C. annuum oleoresin and its nanoemulgel can be considered valuable sources for the discovery of
new antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer compounds in the pharmaceutical industry, especially due to their
potent activity against various cancer cell lines as well as bacterial and fungal strains.
