Plant-based oils, such as coconut, olive, argan, and jojoba, are abundant in natural emollients and vital fatty acids that hydrate and moisturize the skin. They shield the surface, stop moisture loss, and maintain suppleness of, the skin. They are rich in vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants that nourish the skin. Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is used as a functional food due to its tremendous health benefits, and olive oil is well-known for its cosmetic and culinary applications. Argan oil contains many antioxidants, vital fatty acids, and vitamin E, while jojoba oil is an excellent moisturizer and conditioner. Plant-based oils can be extracted using various techniques including conventional and chemical extraction methods, and each will affect the yield and quality. Traditional methods like mechanical pressing are less efficient, whereas extraction methods such as pressurized liquid and supercritical fluid extraction may give higher yields and better quality. The chemical composition of olive oil primarily consists of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). Argan oil is rich in tocopherols, containing between 60 and 90 mg per 100 g, with only 19 g/100 g of argan oil's fatty acids saturated. Jojoba oil is liquid wax comprising over 98% triglyceride esters, pure waxes, vitamins, and sterols. This review focuses on the chemical and biological properties, production processes, and applications of natural cosmetic oils (virgin coconut oil, olive oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil), emphasizing their usage in skin care and cosmeceutical products.
Gelatin hydrogels are attractive for wound applications owing to their well-defined structural, physical, and chemical properties as well as good cell adhesion and biocompatibility. This study aimed to develop gelatin hydrogels incorporated with bio-nanosilver functionalized with lactoferrin (Ag-LTF) as a dual-antimicrobial action dressing, to be used in treating infected wounds. The hydrogels were cross-linked using genipin prior to loading with Ag-LTF and characterized for their physical and swelling properties, rheology, polymer and actives interactions, and in vitro release of the actives. The hydrogel's anti-biofilm and antibacterial performances against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa as well as their cytotoxicity effects were assessed in vitro, including primary wound healing gene expression of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). The formulated hydrogels showed adequate release of AgNPs and LTF, with promising antimicrobial effects against both bacterial strains. The Ag-LTF-loaded hydrogel did not significantly interfere with the normal cellular functions as no alteration was detected for cell viability, migration rate, and expression of the target genes, suggesting the nontoxicity of Ag-LTF as well as the hydrogels. In conclusion, Ag-LTF-loaded genipin-cross-linked gelatin hydrogel was successfully synthesized as a new approach for fighting biofilms in infected wounds, which may be applied to accelerate healing of chronic wounds.