U.S. patent application number 16/726234 was filed with the patent office on 2020-12-03 for method of synthesizing watermelon seed nanoparticles.
The applicant listed for this patent is KING SAUD UNIVERSITY. Invention is credited to MANAL AHMED GASMELSEED AWAD, KHALID MUSTAFA OSMAN ORTASHI.
Application Number | 20200376060 16/726234 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004566881 |
Filed Date | 2020-12-03 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200376060 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ORTASHI; KHALID MUSTAFA OSMAN ;
et al. |
December 3, 2020 |
METHOD OF SYNTHESIZING WATERMELON SEED NANOPARTICLES
Abstract
The watermelon seed nanoparticles may be synthesized by
dissolving powdered watermelon seeds in a solvent to produce a
first mixture, adding the first mixture dropwise to boiling water
under ultrasonic conditions to produce a second mixture, sonicating
the second mixture and drying the second mixture to produce
watermelon seed nanoparticles. In an embodiment, the watermelon
seeds may be Citrullus lanatus seeds. In an embodiment, the
watermelon seed nanoparticles may be included in a pharmaceutical
composition, such as an antimicrobial or anti-cancer
composition.
Inventors: |
ORTASHI; KHALID MUSTAFA OSMAN;
(RIYADH, SA) ; AWAD; MANAL AHMED GASMELSEED;
(RIYADH, SA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KING SAUD UNIVERSITY |
Riyadh |
|
SA |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004566881 |
Appl. No.: |
16/726234 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16428515 |
May 31, 2019 |
10588929 |
|
|
16726234 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 9/5192 20130101;
A61K 36/42 20130101; B82Y 5/00 20130101; A61P 31/04 20180101 |
International
Class: |
A61K 36/42 20060101
A61K036/42; A61P 31/04 20060101 A61P031/04; A61K 9/51 20060101
A61K009/51 |
Claims
1-16. (canceled)
17. Watermelon seed particles prepared according to a method
comprising the steps of: (a) dissolving a watermelon seed powder in
a solvent to produce a first mixture; (b) adding the first mixture
dropwise to boiling water under ultrasonic conditions to produce a
second mixture; (c) sonicating the second mixture; and (d) drying
the second mixture to obtain watermelon seed particles.
18. The watermelon seed particles of claim 17, wherein the
watermelon seed particles further comprise Citrullus lanatus seed
nanoparticles.
19. The watermelon seed particles of claim 17, wherein the
watermelon seed particles have an average diameter of 215 nm.
20. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising the watermelon seed
particles according to claim 19 and a pharmaceutically acceptable
carrier.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Field
[0001] The disclosure of the present patent application relates to
nanotechnology, and particularly to a method of producing
watermelon seed nanoparticles and their use in pharmaceutical
compositions.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] In materials science, nanomaterials have demonstrated unique
size and morphology based characteristics. Nanotechnology is an
emerging field demonstrating significant potential for the
development of new medicines. Nanomaterials have demonstrated
improved oral bioavailability and solubility. The most common
methods of producing nanoparticles are chemical or mechanical,
including ball milling, thermal quenching, precipitation
techniques, and vapor deposition. However, these methods are often
costly, and may result in toxic byproducts.
[0003] Biological approaches for synthesizing nanoparticles can
avoid many of the disadvantages associated with the chemical or
mechanical synthesis methods.
[0004] Thus, a method of synthesizing watermelon seed nanoparticles
are desired.
SUMMARY
[0005] Watermelon seed nanoparticles may be synthesized by
dissolving powdered watermelon seeds in a solvent to produce a
first mixture, adding the first mixture dropwise to boiling water
under ultrasonic conditions to produce a second mixture, sonicating
the second mixture and drying the second mixture to produce the
watermelon seed nanoparticles.
[0006] An embodiment of the present subject matter is directed to a
method of synthesizing watermelon seed nanoparticles.
[0007] An embodiment of the present subject matter is directed to a
pharmaceutical composition comprising the watermelon seed
nanoparticles and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
[0008] An embodiment of the present subject matter is directed to a
method of making a pharmaceutical composition including mixing the
watermelon seed nanoparticles with a pharmaceutically acceptable
carrier.
[0009] These and other features of the present disclosure will
become readily apparent upon further review of the following
specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 depicts a zeta sizer spectrum of the watermelon seed
nanoparticles.
[0011] FIG. 2A depicts a transmission electron micrograph of the
watermelon seed nanoparticles.
[0012] FIG. 2B depicts a transmission electron micrograph of the
watermelon seed nanoparticles.
[0013] FIG. 3 depicts a graph of the cytotoxic effect of the
watermelon seed nanoparticles on HCT-116 cells.
[0014] FIG. 4 depicts a graph of the cytotoxic effect of the
watermelon seed nanoparticles on MCF-7 cells.
[0015] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] A method of synthesizing watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seed
nanoparticles may include dissolving powdered watermelon seeds in a
solvent to produce a first mixture, adding the first mixture
dropwise to boiling water under ultrasonic conditions to produce a
second mixture, sonicating the second mixture and drying the second
mixture to produce watermelon seed nanoparticles.
[0017] Citrullus lanatus is an herbaceous creeping watermelon plant
originating from the Kalahari Desert of southern Africa. A single
Citrullus lanatus plant may produce an average of 3 to 5 fruits
weighing 3 to 8 kg each. The watermelon seeds of the Citrullus
lanatus are a potential source of many desirable trace components,
including but not limited to zinc, magnesium, calcium, protein, B
vitamins, fats, and other minerals.
[0018] As used herein, the term "about," when used to modify a
numerical value, means within ten percent of that numerical
value.
[0019] In an embodiment, the powdered watermelon seeds may be
synthesized by obtaining Citrullus lanatus seeds, washing the seeds
with distilled water, drying the seeds, grinding the dried seeds,
and separating the watermelon seed powder using a sieve of 0.355
mm.
[0020] In an embodiment, the method of synthesizing watermelon seed
nanoparticles may include dissolving the powdered watermelon seeds
in methanol to produce the first mixture. For example, about 500 mg
of the powdered watermelon seeds can be dissolved in about 10 ml of
methanol to produce the first mixture. The first mixture can be
added dropwise to about 40 ml of boiling water with a flow rate of
about 0.1 ml/min. to about 0.3 ml/min. in about 10 minutes under
ultrasonic conditions to produce the second mixture. The second
mixture can be sonicated for about 20 minutes.
[0021] An embodiment of the present subject matter is directed to
watermelon seed nanoparticles. The watermelon seed nanoparticles
may have an average diameter of 215 nm. The watermelon seed
nanoparticles may be spherical and well dispersed. The watermelon
seed nanoparticles may have antimicrobial activity, including but
not limited to anti-fungal activity, anti-gram-positive bacterial
activity, and anti-gram-negative bacterial activity. The watermelon
seed nanoparticles may also have anti-cancer activity. In an
embodiment, the watermelon seed nanoparticles may kill cancer
cells, including but not limited to colon cancer cells and breast
cancer cells.
[0022] An embodiment of the present subject matter is directed to a
pharmaceutical composition comprising the watermelon seed
nanoparticles and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
[0023] An embodiment of the present subject matter is directed to a
method of making a pharmaceutical composition including mixing the
watermelon seed nanoparticles with a pharmaceutically acceptable
carrier. For example, the method of making a pharmaceutical
composition can include mixing the watermelon seed nanoparticles
under sterile conditions with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier
with preservatives, buffers, and/or propellants to create the
pharmaceutical composition.
[0024] An embodiment of the present subject matter is directed to a
pharmaceutical composition including the watermelon seed
nanoparticles. To prepare the pharmaceutical composition, the
watermelon seed nanoparticles, as the active ingredient, are
intimately admixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier
according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques.
Carriers are inert pharmaceutical excipients, including, but not
limited to, binders, suspending agents, lubricants, flavorings,
sweeteners, preservatives, dyes, and coatings. In preparing
compositions in oral dosage form, any of the pharmaceutical
carriers known in the art may be employed. For example, for liquid
oral preparations, suitable carriers and additives include water,
glycols, oils, alcohols, flavoring agents, preservatives, coloring
agents, and the like. Further, for solid oral preparations,
suitable carriers and additives include starches, sugars, diluents,
granulating agents, lubricants, binders, disintegrating agents, and
the like.
[0025] The present compositions can be in unit dosage forms such as
tablets, pills, capsules, powders, granules, ointments, sterile
parenteral solutions or suspensions, metered aerosol or liquid
sprays, drops, ampules, auto-injector devices or suppositories, for
oral parenteral, intranasal, sublingual or rectal administration,
or for administration by inhalation or insufflation. The active
compound can be mixed under sterile conditions with a
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and, if required, any needed
preservatives, buffers, or propellants. The composition can be
presented in a form suitable for daily, weekly, or monthly
administration. The pharmaceutical compositions herein will
contain, per dosage unit, e.g., tablet, capsule, powder, injection,
teaspoonful, suppository and the like, an amount of the active
ingredient necessary to deliver an effective dose.
[0026] The following examples illustrate the present teachings.
Example 1
Synthesis of Watermelon Seed Nanoparticles
[0027] Watermelon seed nanoparticles were synthesized as follows.
Watermelon seeds of Citrullus lanatus were obtained from a market
in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The watermelon seeds were washed with
distilled water and dried. The dried watermelon seeds were ground
to produce watermelon seed powder, and the watermelon seed powder
was filtered through a sieve of 0.355 mm and stored for later use.
500 mg of the watermelon seed powder was then dissolved in 10 ml
methanol to form a first mixture. The first mixture was then added
dropwise to 40 ml of boiling water, under ultrasonic conditions at
a flow rate of 0.1-0.3 ml/min over 10 minutes, to form a second
mixture. The second mixture was sonicated for 20 minutes, stirred
for a further 15 minutes, and dried, producing the watermelon seed
nanoparticles.
Example 2
Characterization of Watermelon Seed Nanoparticles
[0028] Watermelon seed nanoparticles synthesized according to
Example 1 were characterized as follows. The watermelon seed
nanoparticles were analyzed in a zeta-sizer, revealing an average
diameter of 215 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.111. The
nanoparticles are colloidal, display long term stability, and have
a high dispersity. (See FIG. 1 and Table 1) Transmission electron
micrographs demonstrated that the watermelon seed nanoparticles are
spherical to round in shape and well dispersed, without
agglomeration (See FIGS. 2A-2B)
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Zeta-sizer characterization of watermelon
seed nanoparticles Z-avg Size St Dev (d.nm) 215.0 (d.nm) %
Intensity (d.nm) Pdl 0.111 Peak 1 238.2 100.0 80.15 Intercept 0.942
Peak 2 0.000 0.0 0.000 Quality Good Peak 3 0.000 0.0 0.000
Example 3
Antimicrobial Activity of the Watermelon Seed Nanoparticles
[0029] Watermelon seed nanoparticles synthesized according to
Example 1 were tested for antimicrobial activity against gram
negative bacteria, gram positive bacteria, and fungi. Zone of
inhibition studies were performed, the results of which are
summarized in Table 2 (displaying mean zone of inhibition in
mm.+-.standard deviation beyond well diameter of 6 mm). Testing
used the diffusion agar technique with 6.0 mm well diameter and
administration of 100 .mu.g of the watermelon seed
nanoparticles.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Antimicrobial Activity of the Watermelon
Seed Nanoparticles Nano- Micro-organism particles Control FUNGI
Amphotericin B Aspergillus fumigatus (RCMB 02567) 20.7 .+-. 1.5
21.7 .+-. 1.5 Gram Positive Bacteria Ampicillin Streptococcus
pneumoniae (RCMB 16.7 .+-. 1.5 21.0 .+-. 1.0 010011) Bacillus
subtilis (RCMB 010068) 22.7 .+-. 1.5 31.3 .+-. 1.5 Gram Negative
Bacteria Gentamicin Escherichia coli (RCMB 010054) 22.0 .+-. 1.0
20.3 .+-. 0.58
Example 4
Cytotoxic Activity of the Watermelon Seed Nanoparticles Against
Cancerous Cells
[0030] Watermelon seed nanoparticles synthesized according to
Example 1 were tested for cytotoxicity against colon cancer cells
(HCT-116) and breast cancer cells (MCF-7). The results of these
tests are presented in Tables 3-4 and FIGS. 3-4. The watermelon
seed nanoparticles displayed inhibitory activity against HCT-116
cells with an IC.sub.50 of 40.1 .mu.g. The watermelon seed
nanoparticles also displayed inhibitory activity against MCF-7
cells with an IC.sub.50 of 4.36 .mu.g.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Cytotoxic Activity of Watermelon Seed
Nanoparticles Against HCT-116 Cells. Conc. Viability % (Replicates)
Inhibition Std. Dev. (.mu.g) 1st 2nd 3rd Mean % (.+-.) 100 17.94
18.25 21.39 19.19 80.81 1.91 50 39.72 36.88 35.16 37.25 62.75 2.30
25 72.34 67.52 68.47 69.44 30.56 2.55 12.5 81.63 85.91 82.65 83.40
16.60 2.24 6.25 95.16 97.62 94.28 95.69 4.31 1.73 3.125 98.73 100
97.63 98.79 1.21 1.19 0 100 100 100 100 0.00
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Cytotoxic Activity of Watermelon Seed
Nanoparticles Against MCF-7 Cells. Conc. Viability % (Replicates)
Inhibition Std. Dev. (.mu.g) 1st 2nd 3rd Mean % (.+-.) 100 21.87
19.93 24.51 22.10 77.90 2.30 50 39.56 43.87 40.92 41.45 58.55 2.20
25 74.18 70.63 79.14 74.65 25.35 4.27 12.5 89.65 87.18 91.78 89.54
10.46 2.30 6.25 97.52 96.64 98.16 97.44 2.56 0.76 3.125 100 99.71
100 99.90 0.10 0.17 0 100 100 100 100 0.00
[0031] It is to be understood that the method of synthesizing
watermelon seed nanoparticles are not limited to the specific
embodiments described above, but encompass any and all embodiments
within the scope of the generic language of the following claims
enabled by the embodiments described herein, or otherwise shown in
the drawings or described above in terms sufficient to enable one
of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the claimed subject
matter.
* * * * *