Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41537418›Full record

ArticlePest management science2026

Nanoemulsion design of Cynara cardunculus leaves extract rich in sesquiterpene lactones.

Daniela Rosa, Carlos Rial, Miguel Palma, Francisco J Rodríguez-Mejías, Rosa M Varela, Francisco A Macías, Maria F Duarte

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Pest management science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Daniela RosaAlentejo Biotechnology Center for Agriculture and Agro-Food (CEBAL)/Polythechnic Institute of Beja (IPBeja), Beja, Portugal.
Carlos RialAllelopathy Group, Department of Organic Chemistry, INBIO Institute of Biomolecules, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario (ceiA3), University of Cádiz, Puerto Real, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0265-9584
Miguel PalmaDepartment of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, IVAGRO, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario (ceiA3), University of Cádiz, Puerto Real, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8509-4226
Francisco J Rodríguez-MejíasAllelopathy Group, Department of Organic Chemistry, INBIO Institute of Biomolecules, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario (ceiA3), University of Cádiz, Puerto Real, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6952-2964
Rosa M VarelaAllelopathy Group, Department of Organic Chemistry, INBIO Institute of Biomolecules, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario (ceiA3), University of Cádiz, Puerto Real, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3616-9134
Francisco A MacíasAllelopathy Group, Department of Organic Chemistry, INBIO Institute of Biomolecules, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario (ceiA3), University of Cádiz, Puerto Real, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8862-2864
Maria F DuarteAlentejo Biotechnology Center for Agriculture and Agro-Food (CEBAL)/Polythechnic Institute of Beja (IPBeja), Beja, Portugal.

Funding

Consejería de Universidades, Investigación e Innovación. Junta de AndalucíaFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundA Cynara cardunculus leaf extract enriched in sesquiterpene lactones (CcLERSLs) exhibited strong phytotoxic activity, notably inhibiting weed root growth. However, the poor water solubility limits practical application. This study aimed to develop and optimize an oil-in-water nanoemulsion containing CcLERSLs, using grape seed oil as carrier, and pectin and Tween®80 as emulsifiers. Ultrasound-assisted emulsification and response surface methodology were applied to optimize droplet size, stability and bioavailability. Phytotoxicity and storage stability were evaluated.

resultsModels for droplet size and zeta-potential identified ultrasound amplitude and Tween®80 content as significant variables, respectively. Model validation confirmed high predictive accuracy, particularly for droplet size, and this guided the formulation of the CcLERSLs nanoemulsion (5% w/w GSO, 4% Tween® 80, 1% pectin, 80% ultrasound amplitude). Phytotoxicity against Portulaca oleracea, Plantago lanceolata and Phalaris arundinacea showed a ≥3-fold increase in activity compared with the crude extract, particularly for root inhibition. P. oleracea was the most sensitive and the nanoemulsion outperformed the commercial herbicide at 400-800 ppm. The nanoemulsion remained physically stable at 4 and 25 °C for 90 days but degraded significantly at 45° C.

conclusionsNanoemulsion formulation enhances bioavailability of the CcLERSLs and significantly improves its phytotoxic activity, supporting its potential as a promising natural herbicide. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Indexed as

CynaraHerbicidesLactonesPlant ExtractsSesquiterpenesEmulsionsPhalarisPlantagoPlant LeavesEmulsionsHerbicidesLactonesPlant ExtractsSesquiterpenesbioherbicidenanoemulsionphytotoxic activityresponse surface methodologysesquiterpene lactonesstability study

Identifiers

PMID41537418
PMCPMC12976185

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.