Enhancing the stability and retention of alkaloid compounds from gerga orange peel extract through nanoparticles: Potential application as a wound healing agent

Abstract

Background: Gerga orange peel (Citrus sp.) is a natural resource rich in alkaloid compounds, which have high pharmacological significance. However, these natural bioactive compounds are highly susceptible to degradation during the formulation and storage processes. Objective: This research aims to confirm the success of retention and evaluate the effectiveness of the nanoparticle formulation as an innovative strategy to protect and enhance the chemical stability of alkaloid compounds in Gerga orange peel extract. Methods: Gerga orange peel extract was formulated into a nanoparticle preparation using an appropriate method. The presence and retention of alkaloid compounds in the nanoparticle formulation were then qualitatively tested through comprehensive phytochemical screening. Testing was conducted using four standard alkaloid precipitating reagents: Dragendorff, Mayer, Bouchardat, and Wagner. Positive results in the reagent tests, characterized by the formation of typical precipitates, were used as an indicator of successful compound retention. Results: The Gerga orange peel extract nanoparticle preparation showed positive and consistent results in all four alkaloid reagent tests. This positive response is evidenced by the formation of characteristic precipitates in each test (orange-red precipitate with Dragendorff, white precipitate with Mayer, and brown precipitate with Bouchardat and Wagner). This finding definitively proves that the alkaloid compound was successfully maintained intact within the nanoparticle formulation matrix. Conclusion: The nanoparticle formulation proved to be a highly effective and superior strategy for preserving alkaloid compounds from Gerga orange peel. This successful retention of bioactive compounds ensures optimal integrity and pharmacological availability, opening up significant opportunities for further development of this extract into a stable and effective topical agent for wound healing applications.

Keywords

• Alkaloid
• Gerga orange peel
• nanoparticles
• preservation
• retention
• wound healing