Molecules (Apr 2022)

Host-Guest Inclusion Complexes of Natural Products and Nanosystems: Applications in the Development of Repellents

  • Gueive Astur Pena,
  • Anna Sylmara da Costa Lopes,
  • Sylvano Heleno Salgado de Morais,
  • Lidiane Diniz do Nascimento,
  • Fábio Rogério Rodrigues dos Santos,
  • Kauê Santana da Costa,
  • Cláudio Nahum Alves,
  • Jerônimo Lameira

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27082519
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 27, no. 8
p. 2519

Abstract

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Repellents are compounds that prevent direct contact between the hosts and the arthropods that are vectors of diseases. Several studies have described the repellent activities of natural compounds obtained from essential oils. In addition, these chemical constituents have been pointed out as alternatives to conventional synthetic repellents due to their interesting residual protection and low toxicity to the environment. However, these compounds have been reported with short shelf life, in part, due to their volatile nature. Nanoencapsulation provides protection, stability, conservation, and controlled release for several compounds. Here, we review the most commonly used polymeric/lipid nanosystems applied in the encapsulation of small organic molecules obtained from essential oils that possess repellent activity, and we also explore the theoretical aspects related to the intermolecular interactions, thermal stability, and controlled release of the nanoencapsulated bioactive compounds.

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