DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v27i4.18

Keywords: Herb; medicine; nanoemulsion; toxicity

Abstract

Nature-based medicine has emerged to reduce the adverse effects of the therapeutic techniques primarily used today. However, the use of natural products often results in suboptimal pharmacological effects due to their poor permeability and solubility. Nanoemulsion is an emerging drug delivery technology that improves bioactive compounds' physical and chemical properties in in vitro and in vivo assays. Leaf extracts of Dengen (Dillenia serrata Thunb.) and Kenikir (Tagetes erecta) were mixed with ethanol, Tween 80, PEG 400, virgin coconut oil (VCO), and phosphate buffer in an ultrasonicator probe to fabricate nanoemulsions. Physical and chemical analyses were employed to characterize the nanoemulsions. Toxicity assay was also conducted to analyze the pharmacological effect. The nanoemulsions of Dengen and Kenikir leaves have a yellow to brownish color, distinctive aroma, and homogeneous and runny texture. Stability test indicated that all formulations maintained their integrity and did not separate over time, confirming their thermodynamic stability. All formulations were O/W type with emulsification times of 8.21 to 11.71 seconds and soluble in polar solvents like methanol. Both nanoemulsions’ characteristics met the specified particle size range of 24.66 to 40.55 nm, with a polydispersity index of 0.35 to 0.36 and a zeta potential of -8.47 to -4.98 mV. Other characteristics include a viscosity of 6.04 to 6.34 cP, a density of 1.02 g/cm³, a range of pH values of 5.1 to 5.7, and a transmittance percentage of 92.9 to 98.6%. Both the Dengen and Kenikir nanoemulsions were highly toxic to Artemia salina Leach larvae with IC₅₀ of 0.0106 and 0.0098 ppm, respectively. These results indicate that the leaf extract nanoemulsions' physical and chemical properties provide prospective pharmacological effects.