Cordyceps Militaris Fungus Extracts-Mediated Nanoemulsion For Improvement Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, And Anti-Inflammatory Activities

This study aimed to produce and optimize a Cordyceps militaris-based oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsion (NE) encapsulated in sea buckthorn oil (SBT) using an ultrasonication process. Herein, a nonionic surfactant (Tween 80) and chitosan cosurfactant were used as emulsifying agents. The Cordyceps nanoemulsion (COR-NE) was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and field-emission transmission electron microscope (FE-TEM). The DLS analyses revealed that the NE droplets were 87.0 +/- 2.1 nm in diameter, with a PDI value of 0.089 +/- 0.023, and zeta potential of -26.20 +/- 2. The small size, low PDI, and stable zeta potential highlighted the excellent stability of the NE. The NE was tested for stability under different temperature (4 degrees C, 25 degrees C, and 60 degrees C) and storage conditions for 3 months where 4 degrees C did not affect the stability. Finally, in vitro cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activity were assessed. The results suggested that the NE was not toxic to RAW 264.7 or HaCaT (human keratinocyte) cell lines at up to 100 mu L/mL. Anti-inflammatory activity in liposaccharides (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells was evident at 50 mu g/mL and showed inhibition of NO production and downregulation of pro-inflammatory gene expression. Further, the NE exhibited good antioxidant (2.96 +/- 0.10 mg/mL) activity and inhibited E. coli and S. aureus bacterial growth. Overall, the COR-NE had greater efficacy than the free extract and added significant value for future biomedical and cosmetics applications.