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This study reports antidiabetic activity of leaf essential oil (EO) of Cinnamomum travancoricum from the Western Ghats, India via in vitro , in vivo and in silico methods. EO was characterized by GC-MS and GC-FID. Essential oil nanoemulsions (EN) were prepared and characterized. Antidiabetic potential was evaluated through in vitro assays namely, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, glucose uptake and insulin secretion assays. In vivo study was conducted on STZ-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Molecular docking was conducted to find the lead antidiabetic compounds. Of the 42 compounds identified in the EO, α-phellandrene (5.9%), β-phellandrene (12.6%), linalool (23.6%), safrole (6.8%) and shyobunol (5.1%) were major constituents. Of the two ENs formulated, 1:2 ratio (EO to surfactants) was better in zeta size (51.4 nm) and potential (−30.9). In vitro results were impressive. EN lowered elevated blood glucose level to normal (p < 0.01) and improved the insulin secretion (p < 0.01) in diabetic rats. Further, serum AST, ALT, ALP, triglyceride and pancreatic β-cell damage were seen reduced (p < 0.05). Molecular docking studies showed minor constituents of EO, namely, δ-cadinene, elemol, spathulenol and α-copaen-11-ol playing active role in antidiabetic activity through α-amylase, α-glucosidase, insulin receptor, and insulin secretion proteins. [Display omitted] • Leaf essential oil of Cinnamomum travancoricum was characterized. • Linalool, α-phellandrene, β-phellandrene, safrole and shyobunol were major compounds. • Essential oil nanoemulsion were prepared and characterized. • Essential oil nanoemulsion lowered elevated blood glucose level via different mechanisms. • Possible antidiabetic compounds were identified through in silico studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alpinia galanga is commonly known as 'greater galangal' is extensively present across India and Southeast Asia. The essential oil of this zingiberaceae species has high demand in the global market as it has a practice in flavoring food throughout Southeast Asia. The essential oil is also used in spa and perfumery. Rhizome essential oil of A. galanga (AGEO) possesses the myriad therapeutic potential and has more yield than leaf essential oil. However, there are no studies available on the anti-microbial activity of nano-emulsified essential oil of A. galanga (AGNO). Thus, in this current study, AGNO was formulated via low energy emulsification method by using tween 20 and isopropanol as surfactant and co-surfactant respectively with water as solvent. Characterization and validation of nano emulsified oil were done by Litesizer 500 which showed its size less than 100 nm. AGNO exhibited enhanced antimicrobial activity (MIC) against different microbial pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium oxysporum when compared with control (AGEO). It has been concluded from antimicrobial activity that nano emulsified essential oil possesses the highest inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus (0.2 μl/ml). The antioxidant ability of the AGEO and AGNO was also compared by using DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The nano emulsified essential oil possessed significantly higher antioxidant activity (IC50-9 μg/ml) as compared to the normal essential oil (IC50-19 μg/ml). Thus, we conclude that the essential oil-based nanoemulsion of A. galanga can be used as an antioxidant and antimicrobial agent in pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic activities of nanoemulsions of the leaf essential oils of Cinnamomum litseifolium Thwaites collected from two different locations in the Western Ghats namely, Kannikatty, Kalakad Mundandurai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu (Cl1) and Karamanayar, Agasthyamalai hills, Kerala (Cl2), India were studied. Essential oils were extracted from the leaves and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. Slight variation in the composition of leaf essential oils was observed. Essential oil based nanoemulsions were prepared using a surfactant (Tween-80), co-surfactant (propylene glycol) and an emulsifier (lecithin) by homogenization followed by ultra-sonication. Upon characterization, the nanoemulsion of Cl1 showed better stability than Cl2. Both nanoemulsions inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes with IC50 values of 1.998 and 0.780 mg/mL for Cl1 and 3.587 and 1.455 mg/mL for Cl2 respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]