Because of increasing interest in the formulation of delivery
systems capable of improving the performance of active
essential oils, this work focuses on the encapsulation of
essential oils in alginate beads. To this purpose, Artemisia
arborescens volatile oil, which had shown good in vitro
antiherpetic activity against intracellular herpes simplex
virus type 1 (HSV-1),7 was used as a model essential oil.
Artemisia arborescens L is an aromatic plant that is endemic
in Mediterranean regions. It is an evergreen shrub
from the Asteraceae family. Components of the Artemisia
genus have been used for centuries in folk medicine. In particular,
Artemisia arborescens L, very common in Sardinia,
has been used as a treatment for inflammation, headache,
and to alleviate urticaria, rheumatic pain, neuralgia, and gastrointestinal
pain. It is also used as a bronchodilator and as a
lenitive of renal colic and hematic fits caused by favism.8,9