This study aimed to investigate the transdermal enhancing effect of essential oil from Zanthoxylum bungeanum(Z. bungeanum oil) in microemulsion gel(ZO-ME-gel) on permeation of different components,and reveal the transdermal enhancing mechanism of ZO-ME-gel. A series of components with different log P values were selected as model drugs and encapsulated in ZO-ME-gel to simplify and characterize the complex components of traditional Chinese medicine. The transdermal behavior of the model drugs was further examined using the improved Franz diffusion cell method. Then attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(ATR-FTIR),differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) studies and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining were used to investigate the effects of Z. bungeanum oil and ZO-ME-gel on keratin,intercellular lipids and microstructure of the stratum corneum(SC). The results showed that Z. bungeanum oil and ZO-ME-gel had a good transdermal enhancing effect on both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs,and the best effect was achieved when log P value was-0. 5. The transdermal enhancing mechanism of Z. bungeanum oil and ZO-ME-gel was related to affecting the order of the SC lipids,changing lipid fluidity and protein conformation,and disrupting the integrity of the SC structure. 5% Z. bungeanum oil had greater transdermal enhancing effect and destruction of SC structure than ZO-ME-gel. These results suggested that Z. bungeanum oil loaded in microemulsion gel still had a good transdermal enhancing effect although the effect was not as great as Z. bungeanum oil itself,in addition,ZO-ME-gel was less irritating to the skin and safer to use,which had a guiding role in the development and clinical application of Z. bungeanum oil-containing traditional Chinese medicine topical preparations.
Administration, Cutaneous ; Oils, Volatile ; Skin ; Skin Absorption ; Zanthoxylum

Huoluo Xiaoling Dan is a classical prescription commonly used for blood circulation and pain relief in clinic with obvious effects. To make it directly treat lesion and improve the effect, this research optimized the preparation process of Huoluo Xiaoling gel paste and further evaluated its in vitro transdermal absorption performance, so as to provide a scientific basis for its development and utilization. Using primary viscosity, holding viscosity, and sensory score as evaluation indexes, the matrix amount of gel paste was determined by the single factor test and Box-Behnken response surface method. The ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC) method was established to determine the content of eight active ingredients, including Danshensu, ferulic acid, salvianolic acid B, salvianolic acid A, ligustilide, tanshinone Ⅱ_A, 11-keto-β-boswellic(KBA), and 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid(AKBA). A mo-dified Franz diffusion cell method was used to evaluate and compare the absorption properties of the gel paste without volatile oil and with volatile oil microemulsion. The results showed that the optimal prescription for Huoluo Xiaoling gel paste matrix was NP700(1.35 g), glycerol(7.00 g), micropowder silica gel(1.25 g), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose(0.20 g), tartaric acid(0.06 g), and glyceryl aluminum(0.04 g). The mass fractions of eight active ingredients in the paste were successively 0.48, 0.014, 0.95, 0.39, 0.57, 0.055, 0.35, and 0.97 mg·g~(-1). The results of the in vitro transdermal absorption test showed that the addition of the volatile oil or the volatile oil microemulsion promoted the transdermal absorption of the active ingredients, and the law of drug penetration conformed to the zero equation or the Higuchi equation. The gel paste prepared by the optimal prescription has good appearance and adhesion, with no residue, and has the characteristics of skeletal slow-release preparation, which is easy to reduce the number of administration, la-ying a foundation for the development of new external dosage forms of Huoluo Xiaoling Dan.
Administration, Cutaneous ; Skin Absorption ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Oils, Volatile ; Viscosity

Essential oils(EOs) from Chinese medicinals, which can be used as adjuvants and exert certain therapeutic effect, are directly used in Chinese medicine formulas. Conventional research strategy for EOs from Chinese medicinals is to compare the efficacy of the prescriptions before and after the addition of EOs, and the penetration-enhancing mechanisms of EOs remain unclear. In modern research on EOs from Chinese medicinals, the method for studying chemical penetration enhancers is often used, which fails to reflect the overall efficacy of EOs. This study clarified the property regularity of EOs from Chinese medicinals as transdermal penetration enhancers, and thereby proposed a research model which integrated the medicinal and adjuvant properties of EOs from Chinese medicinals via "component-delivery-effect" characterization route. The core concept is that constituents of EOs from Chinese medicinals and their delivery process play a key role in their external application. This research model is expected to serve as a reference for further research on EOs from Chinese medicinals for transdermal application.
Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic ; Administration, Cutaneous ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Oils, Volatile/pharmacology*

Hot melt pressure-sensitive adhesive(HMPSA) has broad application potential in the field of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) plasters due to its high drug loading, weak skin irritation, satisfactory adhesion, etc. compared with rubber plasters.However, the structure of HMPSA is prone to suffer from the damage caused by volatile oils in TCM plasters. In view of this, a kind of HMPSA with a stable structure was prepared by physical blending of DINCH, polypropylene wax and liquid rubber(LIR) in the present study, which is denoted as DPL. The dosage of cinnamon volatile oil(CVO), the model drug, was selected with viscosity, softening point and cohesion as evaluation indexes. The interaction between DPL and HMPSA was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR) and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC). The compatibility of HMPSA with CVO and its transdermal ability were studied by in vitro transdermal test, adhesion, scanning electron microscopy( SEM) and rheological evaluation. The results showed that 5% CVO began to damage the structure of HMPSA. The initial adhesion and holding adhesion of DPL-modified HMPSA(DPL-HMPSA) were not significantly changed compared with those of HMPSA, whereas the 180° peel strength was decreased. FI-IR unraveled that DPL formed the n-π conjugated system with styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer(SIS), and there was no significant difference in the glass transition temperature according to DSC results, which indicated the good compatibility of DPL with HMPSA. With 5% CVO loaded, the drug content of DPL-HMPSA was 1. 14 times higher than that of HMPSA, and the decrease rate of drug content in DPL-HMPSA was 16% lower than that in HMPSA after 3 months. SEM demonstrated that CVO did not cause obvious structural damage to DPL-HMPSA. Rheological evaluation revealed that the storage modulus and loss factor of DPL-HMPSA were higher than those of HMPSA, and the cohesion was also stronger. The percutaneous penetration rate of cinnamaldehyde in DPL-HMPSA was 2. 25 times that of HMPSA. In conclusion, DPL-HMPSA had more stable structure, better compatibility with CVO, and higher in vitro transdermal efficiency of cinnamaldehyde than before the modification. This study can provide reference for the mitigation of the matrix structure damage caused by volatile oil components in TCM plasters and the enhancement of the content and in vitro transdermal rate of drug.
Adhesives ; Administration, Cutaneous ; Cinnamomum zeylanicum ; Oils, Volatile ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

3-Carene, a bicyclic monoterpene, is one of the major components of the pine tree essential oils. It has been reported that, in addition to its known properties as a phytoncide, 3-carene has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anxiolytic effects. We have previously demonstrated that α-pinene, the major component of pine tree, has a hypnotic effect through GABA(A)-benzodiazepine (BZD) receptors. However, a hypnotic effect of 3-carene has not been studied yet. Here, we report that oral administration of 3-carene increases the sleep duration and reduces sleep latency in pentobarbital-induced sleep test. 3-Carene potentiates the GABA(A) receptor-mediated synaptic responses by prolonging the decay time constant of inhibitory synaptic responses. These enhancing effects of 3-carene are reproduced by zolpidem, a modulator for GABA(A)-BZD receptor, and fully inhibited by flumazenil, an antagonist for GABA(A)-BZD receptor. The molecular docking of 3-carene to the BZD site of GABA(A) protein structure, suggests that 3-carene binds to the BZD site of α1 and ϒ2 subunits of GABA(A)-BZD receptor. These results indicate that, similar to α-pinene, 3-carene shows a sleep-enhancing effect by acting as a positive modulator for GABA(A)-BZD receptor.
Administration, Oral ; Anti-Anxiety Agents ; Flumazenil ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Oils, Volatile ; Pinus

In order to increase the stability and solubility of essential oil in Jieyu Anshen Formula, this study was to prepare the essential oil into liposomes. In this experiment, the method for the determination of encapsulation efficiency of liposomes was established by ultraviolet spectrophotometer and dextran gel column. The encapsulation efficiency and particle size of liposomes were used as evaluation indexes for single factor investigation and Box-Behnken design-response surface method was used to optimize the design. Then the optimal formulation of volatile oil liposome was characterized using methyleugenol, elemin, β-asarone and α-asarone as index components. Finally, the in vitro transdermal properties of liposomes were studied by modified Franz diffusion cell. The results showed that the concentration of lecithin, the mass ratio of lecithin to volatile oil, and the stirring speed were the three most significant factors affecting the liposome preparation. The optimum formulation of volatile oil liposome was as follows: the concentration of lecithin was 7 g·L~(-1); mass ratio of lecithin to volatile oil was 5∶1; and the stirring speed was 330 r·min~(-1). Under such conditions, the prepared liposomes had blue emulsion light, good fluidity, half translucent, with particle size of(102.6±0.35) nm, Zeta potential of(-17.8±0.306) mV, permeability of(1.67±1.01)%, and stable property if liposome was stored at 4 ℃. 24 h after percutaneous administration, the cumulative osmotic capacity per unit time was(30.485 2±1.238 9),(34.794 8±0.928 3),(26.677 1±1.171 7),(3.066 2±0.175 3) μg·cm~(-2)respectively for methyleugenol, elemin, β-asarone and α-asarone. In vitro transdermal behaviors of methyleugenol, elemin, β-asarone and α-asarone in liposomes were all consistent with Higuchi equation. The prepared volatile oil liposomes met the relevant quality requirements, providing a reference for further research on preparation of multi-component Chinese medicine essential oil liposomes.
Administration, Cutaneous ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Liposomes ; Oils, Volatile ; analysis ; Particle Size ; Solubility

OBJECTIVETo study the preparation technique of the liposome of Bupleurum chinense volatile oil.

METHODThe composition, entrapment ratio of volatile oil, availability of freeze-drying and the changes of finger prints were studied.

RESULTEntrapment ratio reached 81.9%. After freeze-dried, the remaining ratio of the oil entrapped in the liposome reached 88.6%.

CONCLUSIONIt is practicable to make B. chinense injection into freeze-dried liposome powder.

Bupleurum ; chemistry ; Freeze Drying ; Injections ; Liposomes ; Oils, Volatile ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Powders ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study on the differences of metabolites in the blood of rats after injection or oral administration of volatile oil in Houttuyniae Herba and of 2-undecanone in order to validate hypothesis of network compatability and to establish the theoretical foundation of elucidating metabolic mechanism for multiple constituents in Chinese Material.

METHODA gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method was employed for qualitative determination of the metabolites in blood of rats by injection or oral administration of volatile oil in Houttuyniae Herba and of 2-undecanone, which were compared with the differences between binary two drugs as well as two administration.

RESULTThere were 45 kinds of ingredients in volatile oil for original materials for Houttuyniae Herba, and 53, 69 kinds of metabolites were detected in blood of rats for oral administration of volatile oil in Houttuyniae Herba, and 2-undecanone, respectively, whereas 52, 42 kinds of metabolites were detected for injection administration. Although there were various constitutes, i. e. single versus multiple ingredients, administrated by various ways, i. e. oral versus injection, the metabolites were so similar with each manners, in which alpha-pinene and beta-myrcene occurred in two constitute forms and two administrations, while there were 18, 13 kinds of ingredients for oral or injection administration of volatile oil in Houttuyniae Herba, i. e. 34%, 25% of total ingredients, respectively, and 17, 15 kinds of ingredients, i. e. 24.6%, 35.7% for that of, 2-undecanone, respectively, on average of 29.8% that suggested one of third as co-metabolites.

CONCLUSIONThere are network compatibility existed in metabolism of the houttuynia volatile oil in rats, and similar metabolic pathways in accordance with original plant, among their ingredients no matter alone or multiple constitute forms and oral or injection administration.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Herb-Drug Interactions ; Houttuynia ; chemistry ; Injections, Intravenous ; Ketones ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Oils, Volatile ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an essential oil mouthrinse with gingival massage on oral health in community indwelling elderly. METHOD: The subjects were composed of 61 healthy elderly at a Senior Welfare Center in J city. Thirty subjects in the experimental group were given toothbrushing education ongingival massage toothbrushing with an essential oil mouthrinse for 2 weeks(4 times per day, 3 minutes per session). The 31 subjects in the control group were given toothbrushing education ongingival massage toothbrushing. The effects of the treatment were measured by salivary pH, salivary IgA level, halitosis, oral subjective symptoms, and oral self care behavior scores before, right after and 2 weeks after the experiment. RESULTS: Salivary pH was significantly increased(p=0.018) in the experimental group. Salivary IgA levels were not significantly different between the experimental and control groups; however, IgA levels of the experimental group were significantly increased(p=0.006) after time had passed. Halitosis was significantly decreased(p=0.002) in the experimental group. Oral subjective symptom scores were significantly decreased(p=0.000) and oral self care behavior scores were significantly increased(p=0.000) in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: Regular gingival massage toothbrushing with an essential oil mouthrinse could be an effective oral health nursing intervention for the elderly.
*Toothbrushing ; *Oral Health ; Oils, Volatile/*administration & dosage ; Mouthwashes/*administration & dosage ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Humans ; Health Education, Dental ; Female ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aged

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an essential oil mouthrinse with gingival massage on oral health in community indwelling elderly. METHOD: The subjects were composed of 61 healthy elderly at a Senior Welfare Center in J city. Thirty subjects in the experimental group were given toothbrushing education ongingival massage toothbrushing with an essential oil mouthrinse for 2 weeks(4 times per day, 3 minutes per session). The 31 subjects in the control group were given toothbrushing education ongingival massage toothbrushing. The effects of the treatment were measured by salivary pH, salivary IgA level, halitosis, oral subjective symptoms, and oral self care behavior scores before, right after and 2 weeks after the experiment. RESULTS: Salivary pH was significantly increased(p=0.018) in the experimental group. Salivary IgA levels were not significantly different between the experimental and control groups; however, IgA levels of the experimental group were significantly increased(p=0.006) after time had passed. Halitosis was significantly decreased(p=0.002) in the experimental group. Oral subjective symptom scores were significantly decreased(p=0.000) and oral self care behavior scores were significantly increased(p=0.000) in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: Regular gingival massage toothbrushing with an essential oil mouthrinse could be an effective oral health nursing intervention for the elderly.
*Toothbrushing ; *Oral Health ; Oils, Volatile/*administration & dosage ; Mouthwashes/*administration & dosage ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Humans ; Health Education, Dental ; Female ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aged