Molecules (Jan 2024)
Nanostructure Lipid Carrier of Curcumin Co-Delivered with Linalool and Geraniol Monoterpenes as Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor of <i>Culex pipiens</i>
Abstract
(1) Background: A molecular hybridization docking approach was employed to develop and detect a new category of naturally activated compounds against Culex pipiens as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors via designing a one-pot multicomponent nano-delivery system. (2) Methods: A nanostructure lipid carrier (NLC), as a second generation of solid lipid nanoparticles, was used as a carrier to deliver the active components of curcumin (Cur), geraniol (G), and linalool (L) in one nanoformulation after studying their applicability in replacing the co-crystallized ligand imidacloprid. (3) Results: The prepared nanostructure showed spherical-shaped, polydisperse particles ranging in size from 50 nm to 300 nm, as found using a transmission electron microscope. Additionally, dynamic light scattering confirmed an average size of 169 nm and a highly stable dispersed solution, as indicated by the zeta potential (−38 mV). The prepared NLC-Cur-LG displayed competitive, high-malignancy insecticidal activity against fourth instar C. pipiens with an elevated rate of death of 0.649 µg/mL. The treatment, due to the prepared nanostructure, affects oxidative stress enzymes, e.g., hydrogen peroxide (4 ppm), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (0.03 OD/mg), and protein carbonyl (0.08 OD/mg), and there are observable upward and downward fluctuations when using different concentrations of NLC-Cur-LG, suggesting significant problems in its foreseeable insecticidal activity. The acetylcholinesterase activity was assessed by an enzyme inhibition assay, and strengthened inhibition occurred due to the encapsulated NLCs (IC50 = 1.95 µg/mL). An investigation of the gene expression by Western blotting, due to treatment with NLC-Cur-LG, revealed a severe reduction of nearly a quarter of what was seen in the untreated group. As a preliminary safety step, the nanoformulation’s toxicity against normal cell lines was tested, and a reassuring result was obtained of IC50 = 158.1 µg/mL for the normal lung fibroblast cell line. (4) Conclusions: the synthesized nanoformulation, NLC-Cur-LG, is a useful insecticide in field conditions.
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