Nanoparticles containing eugenol with anti-inflammatory effect: a narrative review

Abstract

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum, L.) is an aromatic plant native to tropical and subtropical countries, brought to Brazil in the 19th century. Eugenol is a byproduct extracted from clove in larger quantities, characterized by a yellowish hue and hydrophobicity. Eugenol is associated with properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, analgesic, anesthetic, and mainly anti-inflammatory effects. However, the phytomolecules of aromatic plants present certain limitations in terms of bioavailability, efficacy, and low water solubility, which can hinder the development of pharmaceutical formulations. Therefore, nanoparticles containing eugenol are being developed to evaluate how these properties of the compound can be enhanced. A bibliographic review was conducted in the Periódicos Capes database using the descriptors “eugenol,” “anti-inflammatory,” and “nanoparticles” with the Boolean operator “and.” Full-text articles and original papers in English and Portuguese were included. Articles without full access or abstracts and literature reviews were excluded. The timeline was automatically selected due to the articles found in the period 2014-2022. Four articles were selected. Thus, the aim was to assess in the literature the properties of eugenol and compare its properties from the micro to the nanoscale. In summary, the expected anti-inflammatory property of eugenol was maintained when in nanoscale. However, new in vitro and in vivo tests are suggested to ensure treatment safety.