o:39459 Cyclodextrin-Assisted Extraction and Encapsulation of Parthenolide- and Polyphenol-Rich Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.) for Enhanced Bioactivity en Background/Objectives: The extraction and encapsulation of Tanacetum parthenium L. (feverfew) represent highly relevant approaches for maximizing the recovery and protection of its bioactive phytocomplexes, particularly the main active compound, parthenolide (PAR). The present study aimed to develop and optimize a cyclodextrin-based extraction and encapsulation method for T. parthenium to improve the chemical and physicochemical properties and biological activity of bioactive-rich phytocomplexes. Methods: The extraction process was optimized by comparing conventional maceration (ME) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UE), using different ethanol–water mixtures as extractants, with and without hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (CD) as an extraction enhancer. The highest PAR yield (approximately 6.3 mg/g dried biomass), combined with enhanced total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, was achieved using 50% (v/v) ethanol with 0.5% CD under UE. The optimized extract was spray-dried to produce powder formulations, with or without carrier material, which have been characterized for their technological, chemical, physicochemical, structural, and biological properties. Results: The inclusion of CD significantly improved process yield (approximately 65% compared to 47% for the non-encapsulated extract) and reduced residual moisture content, indicating enhanced drying efficiency and improved powder stability. Furthermore, the encapsulated formulation demonstrated preserved antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in cell-based assays. Conclusions: The developed CD-based encapsulation method represents a promising strategy for stabilizing feverfew bioactives and enhancing their potential applicability in pharmaceutical and dermo-cosmetic formulations. feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.); cyclodextrin; extraction; encapsulation; spray drying; antioxidant; anti-inflammatory 1552099 https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19081176 2026-07-30T09:57:14.072Z 44 yes 46 Nada Ćujić Nikolić Institute for Medicinal Plants Research “Dr Josif Pančić”, Belgrade, Serbia Dajana Lazarević Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia person Aleksandra A. Jovanović University of Belgrade, Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy INEP, Serbia doktor tehnoloških nauka person 0000-0001-5394-0125 Jelena Jovanović Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia person Katarina Šavikin Institute for Medicinal Plants Research “Dr Josif Pančić”, Belgrade, Serbia person Nibina Nizar Chemical Engineering Department, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK person Gorana Ilić University of Belgrade, Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy INEP, Serbia master biohemičar person 0009-0002-3476-4642 Goran Vladisavljević Chemical Engineering Department, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK person Tatjana Trtić-Petrović Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia person application/pdf 9224820 https://phaidrabg.bg.ac.rs/o:39459 no yes 16 70 92000001 11A28 11A29 first_pagesettingsOrder Article Reprints Open AccessArticle Cyclodextrin-Assisted Extraction and Encapsulation of Parthenolide- and Polyphenol-Rich Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.) for Enhanced Bioactivity 19 8 1176 Pharmaceuticals Basel, Switzerland MDPI 2026