The current study presents the most suitable method for encapsulating nutmeg essential oil with liquorice and red clover. Two widely used methods, spray-drying and freeze-drying, were employed to find the most suitable for essential oil volatile compounds' protection. Results showed that freeze-dried capsules (LM) had a higher yield (85.34%) compared to the exact formulation of spray-dried microcapsules (SDM)-45.12%. All the antioxidant and total phenolic compounds' results obtained with the LM sample were significantly higher compared with SDM. LM microcapsules were incorporated in two different bases with no additional sugar (gelatin and pectin) for targeted release. Pectin tablets had firmer and harder texture properties, while gelatin tablets had a more elastic texture. There was a significant impact on texture changes caused by microcapsules. Microencapsulated essential oil with extracts can be used alone or in a gel base (pectin or gelatin, depending on user preferences). It could be an effective product to protect the active volatile compounds and regulate the release of active compounds and give a pleasant taste.

The balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera L.) buds that grow in Lithuania are a polyphenol-rich plant material with a chemical composition close to that of propolis. In order to potentially adapt the extracts of this plant's raw material for therapeutic purposes, it is important to carry out detailed studies on the chemical composition and biological activity of balsam poplar buds. An important step is to evaluate the yield of polyphenols by different extraction methods and using different solvents. According to our research, extracts of balsam poplar buds collected in Lithuania are dominated by p-coumaric (496.9-13,291.2 µg/g), cinnamic acid (32.9-11,788.5 µg/g), pinobanksin (34.9-1775.5 µg/g) and salicin (215.3-1190.7 µg/g). The antioxidant activity of poplar buds was evaluated by the ABTS (2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and FRAP (ferric-reducing antioxidant power) methods, all extracts showed antioxidant activity and the obtained results correlated with the obtained amounts of total phenolic compounds in the extracts (ABTS r = 0.974; DPPH r = 0.986; FRAP r = 0.955, p < 0.01). Studies of antimicrobial activity have shown that ethanolic extracts have an antimicrobal activity effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli. The extracts showed a better antimicrobal activity against gram-positive bacteria.

Balsam poplar buds have been used for wound healing and treating irritated skin in traditional medicine. Balsam poplar buds extracts exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. In recent years, scientific research has begun to validate some of these traditional uses, leading to an increased interest in balsam poplar buds as a potential source of natural remedies in modern medicine. The study aims to simulate semi-solid pharmaceutical forms with balsam poplar buds extract and evaluate their quality through biopharmaceutical research. The active compounds identified in Lithuanian poplar buds were p-coumaric acid, cinnamic acid, caffeic acid, galangin, pinocembrin, pinobanksin, and salicin. In gels, pH values ranged from 5.85 ± 0.05 to 5.95 ± 0.07. The determined pH values of emulgels ranged from 5.13 ± 0.05 to 5.66 ± 0.15. After 6 h, the release of active compounds from gels and emulgels ranged from 47.40 ± 2.41% to 71.17 ± 3.54. p-coumaric acid dominates in the balsam poplar buds extracts. The pH values of the prepared sem-solid pharmaceutical forms are suitable for use on the skin. The viscosity of the formulations depends on the amount of gelling agent. All formulations showed antioxidant activity. It is relevant to conduct a more extensive study on the influence of the chosen carrier on the release of active compounds from semi-solid formulations with an extract of balsam poplar buds.