S-limonene loaded gum Arabic nanoparticles displayed anti-herpes viruses (HSV-1 & HSV-2) and heal wounds properties

Abstract Essential oils display wide industrial, pharmaceutical and cosmetics applications including food preservation, diseases treatment and antimicrobial agents. Essential oils are composite of a complex various volatile and terpenoid natural bioactive substances. In this study, the anti-herbal virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and wound healing properties of new formulated lemon essential oil derivative S-limonene loaded with gum Arabic were characterized. The physical properties of the new formula exhibited nano-characteristics based on morphological properties using TEM imaging, size using zeta sizer and linkage between gum Arabic (polymer) and s-limonene using FTIR analysis. S-Limonene-NPs exhibited antiviral activity against HSV-1 and HSV-2 with 73.3 and 56.6%, respectively followed by native s-limonene with 46.6 and 40%, respectively. However, slightly antiviral properties were observed due to gum Arabic-NPs treatment of HSV-1 and HSV-2 with 6.6 and 3.3%, respectively. In another hand, s-limonene-NPs illustrate healing properties against Bj-1 fibroblast cell wound closure after 24 h followed by s-limonene in native form, while no significant effect of gum Arabic-NPs were detected compared to control. In conclusion, the preparation of s-limonene nanoparticles by covering them with gum Arabic showed biological activity as an anti-viral agent and wound healing potential.