Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases. Carvacrol, an important natural terpenoid product in aromatic plants such as thyme, has shown antiinflammatory effects in animal models of arthritis. However, its poor water solubility and high volatility have limited its application. In the present study in order to overcome this problem, we encapsulated carvacrol in the bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles and examined its therapeutic and immunomodulatory effects in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA). Carvacrol-loaded BSA nanoparticles were prepared by desolvation method. Nanoparticles had encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 67. 7 ± 6. 9% and loading capacity (LC) of 26. 6 ± 2%. The size of particles was 148 ± 25 nm and they had monomodal distribution. After arthritis induction, the rats were treated intraperitoneally with nanoparticle for every 3 days until day 28. The treatment of the rats with 375 mg/mL carvacrol-loaded BSA nanoparticle significantly decreased clinical severity score (27. 5 ± 9. 8%, p = 0. 008), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (33. 4 ± 10%, p = 0. 02), nitric oxide production (82. 3 ± 2. 6%, p = 0. 004) and interleukin (IL)-17 gene expression (55. 1 ± 8. 2%, p = 0. 003) compared to the untreated arthritic group. A higher reduction in inflammation severity in arthritic rats treated with carvacrol-loaded BSA in comparison to those treated with carvacrol alone was observed. In conclusion, encapsulation of carvacrol in nanoparticles reduced arthritis signs and release of NO and IL-17 inflammatory cytokine and therefore is suggested to be considered as a good approach for improving the therapeutic applications of carvacrol in RA.

Background: Active packaging represents a defining strategy to improve food quality and safety of the packaged foods. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro ability of commercial biopolymeric foams, namely Mater-Bi (MB), activated with 20% of carvacrol, to develop a completely biodegradable and compostable packaging to inhibit the growth of spoilage and pathogenic yeasts. Methods: MB foams, with and without carvacrol, were produced by melt mixing and the foaming process was performed in a laboratory press. The antifungal activity of foams containing carvacrol was tested applying the disk diffusion method. Statistical analysis was done using XLStat software version 7. 5. 2 for Excel. Results: Statistically significant differences (p<0. 05) were observed between sensitivity of the tested yeasts. Candida zeylanoides 4G362 and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa ICE29 were found to be the most sensitive strains with a clear zone of 28. 9± 0. 1 and 29. 0± 0. 1 mm, respectively. However, Aureobasidium pullulans was the least sensitive yeast strain, showing clear zone of 20. 4± 0. 3 mm. Conclusion: This study provided, for the first time, an in vitro analysis of the antifungal activity of MB foams activated with carvacrol against yeasts that commonly contaminate raw materials and processed foods. In conclusion, this biopolymer was highly effective against all the yeasts used as indicators strains.