Green extraction of Milletia pinnata oil for the development, and characterization of pectin crosslinked carboxymethyl cellulose/guar gum herbal nano hydrogel

What if a plant oil could be turned into a tiny, infection-fighting gel using just water vapor? Scientists have done exactly that with a green extraction method that preserves nature's healing power.

Nature's pharmacy is fragile. Extracts from Milletia pinnata oil and Nardostachys jatamansi roots are rich in bioactive compounds, but they degrade easily under harsh conditions. To protect them, researchers turned to green hydrodistillation—a gentle, water-based extraction that avoids harsh chemicals.

The extracted oil and root extract revealed two key compounds: spirojatamol and hexadecanoic acid methyl ester. These were then incorporated into a pectin crosslinked carboxymethyl cellulose/guar gum hydrogel. By varying the cross-linker and gelling agent concentrations, the team created ten formulations, with OEEG2 and OEG2 proving most stable.

The winning hydrogel boasted a droplet size of just 186.7 nm and a zeta potential of −20.5 mV, indicating good stability. Thermal analysis showed endo- and exothermic peaks, while functional groups like hydroxyl, amide II, and amide III confirmed the molecular structure. The smooth surface ensured uniformity.

This nanohydrogel is a fighter. It showed bactericidal activity against both Gram-positive (25.41 ± 0.09 mm) and Gram-negative (27.25 ± 0.01 mm) bacteria, plus anti-inflammatory effects (49.25%–83.47%). It's a promising candidate for treating infections, with the ability to absorb target-specific drugs.

Key Points

• Green hydrodistillation extracts bioactive compounds from M. pinnata oil and N. jatamansi.
• Stable OEEG2/OEG2 hydrogels with 186.7 nm droplets and -20.5 mV zeta potential.
• Nanohydrogel shows bactericidal and anti-inflammatory activity, promising for infection treatment.