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Fenugreek is used as a spice and a traditional herbal medicine for a variety of purposes, given its antidiabetic and antioxidant effects. Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) of herbal drugs are targets of extensive research aiming to increase bioavailability and stability. The study's objective was to formulate SEDDS containing Trigonella foenum-graecum extract to improve the stability of herbal extract and to increase their permeability through a Caco-2 monolayer. A characterized fenugreek dry extract was used for the formulations, while the SEDDS properties were examined by particle size analysis and zeta potential measurements. Permeability assays were carried out on Caco-2 cell monolayers, the integrity of which was monitored by follow-up trans-epithelial electric resistance measurements (TEER). Cytocompatibility was tested by the MTT method, and an indirect dissolution test was performed, using DPPH antioxidant reagent. Two different SEDDS compositions were formulated from a standardized fenugreek dry extract at either the micro- or the nanoemulsion scale with sufficient stability, enhanced bioavailability of the compounds, and sustained release from HPMC capsules. Based on our results, a modern, non-toxic, cytocompatible fenugreek SEDDS formulation with high antioxidant capacity was developed in order to improve the permeability and bioavailability of all components.

Natural products used in the treatment of acne vulgaris may be promising alternative therapies with fewer side effects and without antibiotic resistance. The objective of this study was to formulate creams containing Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis to be used in acne therapy. Spirulina platensis belongs to the group of micro algae and contains valuable active ingredients. The aim was to select the appropriate nonionic surfactants for the formulations in order to enhance the diffusion of the active substance and to certify the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Spirulina platensis-containing creams. Lyophilized Spirulina platensis powder (SPP) was dissolved in Transcutol HP (TC) and different types of nonionic surfactants (Polysorbate 60 (P60), Cremophor A6:A25 (CR) (1:1), Tefose 63 (TFS), or sucrose ester SP 70 (SP70)) were incorporated in creams as emulsifying agents. The drug release was evaluated by the Franz diffusion method and biocompatibility was tested on HaCaT cells. In vitro antioxidant assays were also performed, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays were executed. Antimicrobial activities of the selected compositions were checked against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) with the broth microdilution method. Formulations containing SP 70 surfactant with TC showed the most favorable dissolution profiles and were found to be nontoxic. This composition also showed significant increase in free radical scavenger activity compared to the blank sample and the highest SOD enzyme activity was also detected after treatment with the cream samples. In antibacterial studies, significant differences were observed between the treated and control groups after an incubation time of 6 h.

Horseradish hairy root cultures are suitable plant tissue organs to study the glucosinolate−myrosinase−isothiocyanate system and also to produce the biologically active isothiocyanates and horseradish peroxidase, widely used in molecular biology. Fifty hairy root clones were isolated after Agrobacterium rhizogenes infection of surface sterilized Armoracia rusticana petioles and leaf blades, from which 21 were viable after antibiotic treatment. Biomass properties (e.g., dry weight %, daily growth index), glucosinolate content (analyzed by liquid chromatography-electronspray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS)), isothiocyanate and nitrile content (analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)), myrosinase (on-gel detection) and horseradish peroxidase enzyme patterns (on-gel detection and spectrophotometry), and morphological features were examined with multi-variable statistical analysis. In addition to the several positive and negative correlations, the most outstanding phenomenon was many parameters of the hairy root clones showed dependence on the organ of origin. Among others, the daily growth index, sinigrin, glucobrassicin, 3-phenylpropionitrile, indole-3-acetonitrile and horseradish peroxidase values showed significantly higher levels in horseradish hairy root cultures initiated from leaf blades.