Formulation and Evaluation of Antibacterial Creams and Gels Containing Metal Ions for Topical Application

Understand the Stabilization Engineering of Ascorbic Acid, Mapping the Scheme for Stabilization, and Advancement

Vitamin C is extensively used in cosmetic formulation, howbeit stability is the supreme demerit that limits its use in beautifying products. Numerous techniques are being employed to inhibit the degradation of vitamin C caused by formulation components to facilitate the use in skin rejuvenating products. Diverse materials are being exercised in formulation to stabilize the ascorbic acid and ingredients selected in this formulation composition help for stabilization. The initial stable prototype is developed and further optimization is accomplished by applying the design of experiment tools. The stable pharmaceutical formulations were evaluated for the evaluation parameters and designated as two optimized formulations. The analytical method for the assay of ascorbic acid from the United States pharmacopeia and the related substance method from European pharmacopeia has been modified to be used for cream formulation. The DoE design exhibited that the stability of formulation is impacted by citric acid and tartaric acid but not by propylene glycol and glycerin. The analysis results of topical formulations for the evaluation parameter exhibited satisfactory results. The in-vitro release study method has been developed, optimized, and validated to fit the analysis. The in-vitro studies have been performed for selected compositions and both the formulation has similar kinds of release patterns. The stability study as per ICH guidelines exhibited that the product is stable for accelerated, intermediate, and room-temperature storage conditions. The optimized formulation shows constant release and permeation of ascorbic acid through the skin. The formulation with the combinations of citric acid, tartaric acid, and tocopherol is more stable and the degradation of vitamin C has been reduced significantly. The beaucoup strategies in the unique composition help to protect the degradation by inhibiting the multitudinous degradation pathways.

Oleogels: Versatile Novel Semi-Solid System for Pharmaceuticals

Oleogels is a novel semi-solid system, focusing on its composition, formulation, characterization, and diverse pharmaceutical applications. Due to their stability, smoothness, and controlled release qualities, oleogels are frequently utilized in food, cosmetics, and medicinal products. Oleogels are meticulously formulated by combining oleogelators like waxes, fatty acids, ethyl cellulose, and phytosterols with edible oils, leading to a nuanced understanding of their impact on rheological characteristics. They can be characterized by methods like visual inspection, texture analysis, rheological measurements, gelation tests, and microscopy. The applications of oleogels are explored in diverse fields such as nutraceuticals, cosmetics, food, lubricants, and pharmaceutics. Oleogels have applications in topical, transdermal, and ocular drug delivery, showcasing their potential for revolutionizing drug administration. This review aims to enhance the understanding of oleogels, contributing to the evolving landscape of pharmaceutical formulations. Oleogels emerge as a versatile and promising solution, offering substantial potential for innovation in drug delivery and formulation practices.

Microspheres Based on Blends of Chitosan Derivatives with Carrageenan as Vitamin Carriers in Cosmeceuticals

Chitosan (CS) has a natural origin and is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer with many skin-beneficial properties successfully used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry. CS derivatives, especially those synthesized via a Schiff base reaction, are very important due to their unique antimicrobial activity. This study demonstrates research results on the use of hydrogel microspheres made of [chitosan-graft-poly(ε-caprolactone)]-blend-(ĸ-carrageenan)], [chitosan-2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde-graft-poly(ε-caprolactone)]-blend-(ĸ-carrageenan), and chitosan-sodium-4-formylbenzene-1,3-disulfonate-graft-poly(ε-caprolactone)]-blend-(ĸ-carrageenan) as innovative vitamin carriers for cosmetic formulation. A permeation study of retinol (vitamin A), L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and α-tocopherol (vitamin E) from the cream through a human skin model by the Franz Cell measurement system was presented. The quantitative analysis of the release of the vitamins added to the cream base, through the membrane, imitating human skin, showed a promising profile of its release/penetration, which is promising for the development of a cream with anti-aging properties. Additionally, the antibacterial activity of the polymers from which the microspheres are made allows for the elimination of preservatives and parabens as cosmetic formulation ingredients.

Antibacterial activity of plant-derived compounds and cream formulations against canine skin bacteria

An urgent need to find alternative antimicrobial compounds effective in the prevention and treatment of skin infections led us to study the inhibitory activity of eight plant-derived bioactive compounds (betulin, curcumin, glycyrrhizic acid, guaiazulene, piperine, quercetin, quinine, tannic acid) against 14 canine skin isolates (11 Gram-positive and three Gram-negative bacteria) selected based on antibiotic resistance and virulence features. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined using the broth microdilution method. In detail, the results for the eight different plant compounds showed their inhibitory activity in the concentration range from 0.04 to more than 16 mg/ml (MIC) and from 0.25 to more than 16 mg/ml (MBC). The most potent compounds appear to be tannic acid, followed by quinine and curcumin (MIC 0.04-16.0 mg/ml). The most susceptible strain to the tested agents in general was Bacillus cereus AE13, while Enterococcus faecium AA14 was the most resistant strain (the highest MICs) among the tested bacteria. The two most potent plant-derived compounds (tannic acid and quinine) were tested in mixture in different ratios (1:1, 1:2, 2:1). The lowest MIC and MBC values were observed for the 1:2 ratio, which was used for preparation of creams with different cream bases. One of the cream formulations (cream F) was effective up to 63.0 mg/ml (MIC) with a microbial inactivation time of 1-6 h according to the tested strain. This study provides evidence that some plant-derived compounds could have an antimicrobial effect against canine skin bacteria, the strength of which is bacterial strain dependent.

Unraveling Multicopper [Cu3] and [Cu6] Clusters with Rare μ3-Sulfato and Linear μ2-Oxido-Bridges as Potent Antibiofilm Agents against Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

In this research article, two multicopper [Cu3] and [Cu6] clusters, [Cu3(cpdp)(μ3-SO4)(Cl)(H2O)2]·3H2O (1) and [Cu6(cpdp)2(μ2-O)(Cl)2(H2O)4]·2Cl (2) (H3cpdp = N,N'-bis[2-carboxybenzomethyl]-N,N'-bis[2-pyridylmethyl]-1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol), have been explored as potent antibacterial and antibiofilm agents. Their molecular structures have been determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study, and the compositions have been established by thermal and elemental analyses, including electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Structural analysis shows that the metallic core of 1 is composed of a trinuclear [Cu3] assembly encapsulating a μ3-SO42- group, whereas the structure of 2 represents a hexanuclear [Cu6] assembly in which two trinuclear [Cu3] motifs are exclusively bridged by a linear μ2-O2- group. The most striking feature of the structure of 2 is the occurrence of an unusual linear oxido-bridge, with the Cu3-O6-Cu3' bridging angle being 180.00°. Whereas 1 can be viewed as an example of a copper(II)-based compound displaying a rare μ3:η1:η1:η1 bridging mode of the SO42- group, 2 is the first example of any copper(II)-based compound showing an unsupported linear Cu-O-Cu oxido-bridge. Employing variable-temperature SQUID magnetometry, the magnetic susceptibility data were measured and analyzed exemplarily for 1 in the temperature range of 2-300 K, revealing the occurrence of antiferromagnetic interactions among the paramagnetic copper centers. Both 1 and 2 exhibited potent antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA BAA1717) and the clinically isolated culture of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA CI1). The mechanism of antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of these multicopper clusters was investigated by analyzing and determining the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, lipid peroxidation, microscopic observation of cell membrane disruption, membrane potential, and leakage of cellular components. Additionally, 1 and 2 showed a synergistic effect with commercially available antibiotics such as vancomycin with enhanced antibacterial activity. However, 1 possesses higher antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antivirulence actions, making it a potent therapeutic agent against both MRSA BAA1717 and MRSA CI1 strains.

The study of wound healing activity of Thespesia populnea L. bark, an approach for accelerating healing through nanoparticles and isolation of main active constituents

The present study provides an evaluation for the wound healing activity of the ethanolic extract of Thespesia populnea L. bark (EBE) and its successive fractions in two doses level (1&2%), designed for determining the most bioactive fraction and the suitable dose. Furthermore, development of the most convenient formulation for these bioactive fractions through either their direct incorporation into hydrogel formulations or incorporation of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles with these bioactive fractions into hydrogel formulations. The highest excision wound healing activity was observed in petroleum ether (Pet-B) followed by ethyl acetate (Etac-B) fractions at the high dose (2%). The most suitable formulation designed for the Etac-B fraction was found to be the chitosan-loaded nanoparticles incorporated in the hydrogel formulation, while the conventional hydrogel formulation was observed to be the highly acceptable formulation for Pet-B fraction. Further phytochemical studies of the bioactive fractions led to the isolation of many compounds of different chemical classes viz; beta-sitosterol and lupeol acetate isolated from the Pet-B, in addition to cyanidin and delphinidin from the Etac-B. Our results revealed that EBE and its bioactive fractions (Pet-B & Etac-B) could be considered as strong wound healers through their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, in addition to stimulating collagen synthesis.

Antibacterial activity, quality and stability study of creams with new potential silver(I) complexes and in vivo case report

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity, quality and stability of creams (at 1 % concentration) prepared with synthesized silver(I) complexes: [Ag(Nam)₂]NO₃·H₂O ( AgNam), [Ag₂(HGly)₂]_n(NO₃)_2n (AgGly) (Nam - nicotin-amide, Gly - glycine) and silver(I) sulfadiazine (AgSD), which is commercially available. Antibacterial activity was evaluated by agar well diffusion method and in in vivo case. The pure silver(I) complexes as well as all three tested creams loaded with AgGly, AgSD and AgNam showed antibacterial potential. Moreover, the creams loaded with AgGly and AgNam showed higher antibacterial effects against S. aureus and B. subtilis than the cream loaded with AgSD. In terms of appearance, all cream samples were opaque and odourless, and no phase separation was observed. Creams were soluble in water (o/w emulsions) and they had a pseudoplastic behaviour. The pH of the creams was in the range of 4.87-5.75. No visible changes were observed in the case of commercially used AgSD cream during one month testing period at conditions -16 ± 1 °C; 6 ± 1 °C and 56 % relative humidity; 20 ± 1 °C and 58 % relative humidity and 40 ± 1 °C and 75 % relative humidity. However, creams containing AgGly and AgNam changed their colour depending on the tested conditions.

Naringenin-Capped Silver Nanoparticles Amalgamated Gel for the Treatment of Cutaneous Candidiasis

The current research was aimed to synthesize a phytomolecule, naringenin (NRG)-mediated silver nanoparticles (NRG-SNPs) to study their antifungal potential against Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Candida glabrata (C. glabrata). The NRG-SNPs were synthesized by using NRG as a reducing agent. The synthesis of NRG-SNPs was confirmed by a color change and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 425 nm. Furthermore, the NRG-SNPs were analyzed for size, PDI, and zeta potential, which were found to be 35 ± 0.21 nm, 0.19 ± 0.03, and 17.73 ± 0.92 mV, respectively. In silico results demonstrated that NRG had a strong affinity towards the sterol 14α-demethylase. The docking with ceramide revealed the skin permeation efficiency of the NRG-SNPs. Next, the NRG-SNPs were loaded into the topical dermal dosage form (NRG-SNPs-TDDF) by formulating a gel using Carbopol Ultrez 10 NF. The MIC₅₀ of NRG solution and TSC-SNPs against C. albicans was found to be 50 µg/mL and 4.8 µg/mL, respectively, significantly (P < 0.05) higher than 0.3625 µg/mL of NRG-SNPs-TDDF. Correspondingly, MIC₅₀ results were calculated against C. glabrata and the results of NRG, TSC-SNPs, NRG-SNPs-TDDF, and miconazole nitrate were found to be 50 µg/mL, 9.6 µg/mL, 0.3625 µg/mL, and 3-µg/mL, respectively. Interestingly, MIC₅₀ of NRG-SNPs-TDDF was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than MIC₅₀ of miconazole nitrate against C. glabrata. The FICI (fractional inhibitory concentration index) value against both the C. albicans and C. glabrata was found to be 0.016 and 0.011, respectively, which indicated the synergistic antifungal activity of NRG-SNPs-TDDF. Thus, NRG-SNPs-TDDF warrants further in depth in vivo study under a set of stringent parameters for translating in to a clinically viable antifungal product.

POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF USING CHITOSAN AND SILK FIBROIN TOPICAL HYDROGEL FOR MANAGING WOUND HEALING AND COAGULATION

Background & Objectives

The intricate process of wound healing involves replacing the cellular or tissue structure that has been destroyed. In recent years various wound dressings were launched but reported several limitations. The topical gel preparations are intended for certain skin wound conditions for local action. Chitosan-based hemostatic materials are the most effective in halting acute hemorrhage, and naturally occurring silk fibroin is widely utilized for tissue regeneration. So, this study was conducted to evaluate the potential of chitosan hydrogel(CHI-HYD) and chitosan silk fibroin hydrogel (CHI-SF-HYD) on blood clotting and wound healing.

Methods

Hydrogel was prepared using various concentrations of silk fibroin with guar gum as a gelling agent. The optimized formulations were evaluated for visual appearance, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), pH, spreadability, viscosity, antimicrobial activity, HR-TEM analysis, ex vivo skin permeation, skin irritation, stability studies, and in vivo studies by using adult male Wistar albino rats.

Results

Based on the outcome of FT-IR, no chemical interaction between the components was noticed. The developed hydrogels exhibited a viscosity of 79.2 ± 4.2 Pa.s (CHI-HYD), 79.8 ± 3.8 Pa.s (CHI-SF-HYD), and pH of 5.87 ± 0.2 (CHI-HYD), 5.96 ± 0.1 (CHI-SF-HYD). The prepared hydrogels were sterile and non-irritant to the skin. The in vivo study outcomes show that the CHI-SF-HYD treated group has significantly shortened the span of tissue reformation than other groups. This demonstrated that the CHI-SF-HYD could consequently accelerate the regeneration of the damaged area.

Interpretation & Conclusion

Overall, the positive outcomes revealed improved blood coagulation and re-epithelialization. This indicates that the CHI-SF-HYD could be used to develop novel wound-healing devices.

White pitahaya as a natural additive: potential usage in cosmetic industry

The awareness of some harmful side effects of the chemicals contained in synthetic cosmetics has increased the demand for herbal-based cosmetic products today. White pitahaya fruit and peel methanol extracts were prepared to determine their usage potential in the cosmetic industry. Firstly, we investigated their antimicrobial activity against some test microorganisms using the disc diffusion assay. We also determined their minimal inhibition and minimal bactericidal or fungicidal concentrations. Then, we assayed the antimicrobial activity of a commercial cream containing white pitahaya extracts and the probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum MA-7 strain against the test microorganisms. Finally, we measured the sun protection factors of the white pitahaya fruit and peel extracts and the cream with the extracts. The white pitahaya fruit and peel extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity against the test microorganisms. The cream formulation containing a pitahaya fruit extract had the highest inhibition zone diameter of 11.25 mm against Escherichia coli O157:H7. The highest sun protection value among the extracts and cream with extracts was determined for peel extract as 6.66 and 23.34, respectively. The results indicate that pitahaya fruit and peel extracts have effective antibacterial and antifungal properties, as well as high sun protection factors, and therefore they could be used as natural preservatives in the cosmetic industry.

Formulation and Development of a Water-in-Oil Emulsion-Based Luliconazole Cream: In Vitro Characterization and Analytical Method Validation by RP-HPLC

Luliconazole (LCZ) is a new antifungal agent containing imidazole moiety which revealed broad-spectrum antifungal activity. The aim of this research was to prepare water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion-based cream formulation of LCZ in addition to the development and validation of an analytical method by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Cetostearyl alcohol (12.14%), light liquid paraffin (5.00%), white soft paraffin (2.75%), and Tween-80 (1.00%) appeared as the optimized concentration to give better consistency to the cream. Moreover, without adding pH adjusting agents the pH of the optimized formulation (F5) was obtained within the range of human skin pH throughout the stability period. The value of particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential was 187.90 ± 2.061 nm, 0.124 ± 0.026, and -10.553 ± 1.349 mV, respectively. In this study, an analytical C18 (4.6 mm × 25 cm), 5 μm column was used for chromatographic separation with a mixture of acetonitrile and water in the proportion of 50 : 50 v/v as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The calibration curve was obtained linear at 296 nm in the concentration range of 0.08–0.12 mg/mL. Furthermore, the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.0013 and 0.0042 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, the observed results demonstrated that our developed method was linear (R2 = 0.999), precise (%RSD below than 2.0%), and accurate (mean recovery% = 100.18–100.91). The F5 showed no physical changes until 6th month analysis at room temperature and accelerated conditions. Similarly, the assay obtained 101.99% ± 0.27 and 99.89% ± 0.08 at room temperature and accelerated conditions, respectively. Additionally, all validated parameters were obtained within the acceptable limit as well. These findings conclude that both physically and chemically stable w/o cream formulation of LCZ can be formulated and assessed for their stability by applying the authenticated analytical procedure of RP-HPLC.

Development and Evaluation of an Antimicrobial Formulation Containing Rosmarinus officinalis

Rosmarinus officinalis belongs to the Lamiaceae family, and its constituents show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antinociceptive, and antibacterial properties. The aim of this study was to develop a topical formulation with R. officinalis extract that had antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. Maceration, infusion, Soxhlet, and ultrasound were used to produce rosemary extracts, which were submitted to antioxidant, compound quantification, cell viability, and antimicrobial assays. Infusion and Soxhlet showed better results in the DPPH assay. During compound quantification, infusion showed promising metabolite extraction in phenolic compounds and tannins, although maceration was able to extract more flavonoids. The infusion and ultrasound extracts affected more strains of skin bacteria in the disk diffusion assays. In the minimum inhibitory concentration assay, the infusion extract showed results against S. aureus, S. oralis, and P. aeruginosa, while ultrasound showed effects against those three bacteria and E. coli. The infusion extract was chosen to be incorporated into a green emulsion. The infusion extract promoted lower spreadability and appropriated the texture, and the blank formulation showed high levels of acceptance among the volunteers. According to the results, the rosemary extract showed promising antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, and the developed formulations containing this extract were stable for over 90 days and had acceptable characteristics, suggesting its potential use as a phytocosmetic. This paper reports the first attempt to produce an oil-in-water emulsion using only natural excipients and rosemary extract, which is a promising novelty, as similar products cannot be found on the market or in the scientific literature.

Novel Fusidic Acid Cream Containing Metal Ions and Natural Products against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria

Background: Drug design and development to overcome antimicrobial resistance continues to be an area of research due to the evolution of microbial resistance mechanisms and the necessity for new treatments. Natural products have been used since the dawn of medicine to heal skin infections. The antimicrobial properties of fusidic acid, zinc sulfate, and copper sulfate have been studied and are well known. Furthermore, these compounds have different mechanisms of action in targeting microorganisms, either by inhibiting protein synthesis or bacterial cell walls. Therefore, their combination is expected to have synergistic activity in killing bacteria. However, the synergistic antimicrobial activity has not been evaluated in a cream formulation. Therefore, the objectives of this in vitro study were to develop and evaluate the synergistic efficacy of fusidic acid in combinations with natural products, including oleuropein, thyme oil, zinc sulfate, and copper sulfate, as a cream to eradicate fusidic-acid-resistant microorganisms in skin infections. Methods: Three different cream formulations were developed, compared, and labeled F1, F2, and F3. The compounds were studied for their antibacterial activity. In addition, the stability of the cream was investigated at 25 °C and 40 °C in plastic jars over three months. Results: The F2 formula has adequate physicochemical properties. Furthermore, it displays stable and better results than the marketed trade product and has potential inhibition zones (ZOI). Interestingly, considerable numbers (9.5%) of fusidic-acid-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (FRSA) isolates possessed a high resistance pattern with MIC ≥ 128 μg/mL. In contrast, most tested FRSA isolates (90.5%) had a low resistance pattern with MIC ≤ 8 μg/mL. Conclusion: In conclusion, the F2 cream made with fusidic acid, oleuropein, thyme oil, zinc sulfate, and copper sulfate in the right amounts has stable physical and chemical properties and has potential against FRSA as an antimicrobial agent.

A Review of Moisturizers; History, Preparation, Characterization and Applications

Moisturizers are one of the most widely used preparations in cosmetics and have been extensively used to soften the skin for consumers. Moisturizers work effectively in combating dry skin which may cause pain, tightness, itch, stinging, and/or tingling. The aim of this review is to evaluate published studies on the history, ingredients, preparation processes, characteristics, uses, and applications of moisturizers. Moisturizers bridge the gap between medicine and consumer goods by being used to make the skin more beautiful and healthy. In the future, in moisturizer therapy, the capacity to adapt specific agents to specific dermatological demands will be crucial. Cosmetically, moisturizers make the skin smooth by the mechanism of increasing the water content in the stratum corneum, hence exerting its most vital action, which is moisturizing action and maintaining a normal skin pH.

Formulation and Physicochemical Evaluation of Green Cosmeceutical Herbal Face Cream Containing Standardized Mangosteen Peel Extract

The widely reported adverse effects of synthetic ingredients encourage the development of green cosmeceuticals to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3. The waste product of mangosteen (mangosteen peel) was utilized in the formulation to reduce waste production corresponding to SDG 12, in addition to its anti-aging and pigmentation control effects. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate novel herbal face creams containing standardized mangosteen peel extract. The mangosteen creams were formulated using natural ingredients and were evaluated for their organoleptic characteristics, rheology, spreadability and pH. Furthermore, an accelerated stability study, freeze–thaw stability study and centrifugation test were conducted. In addition, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays were conducted to assess its antioxidant effects, whereas tyrosinase inhibitory assay was conducted to determine its anti-tyrosinase activity. The formulated creams appeared light yellowish-brown and homogenous without phase separation. The creams displayed shear-thinning behavior and optimal pH which was ideal for topical application. The creams were stable after being subjected to various stability tests and were shown to have antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activity. In conclusion, the development of mangosteen-based green cosmeceutical face cream is in line with SDG 3 and 12. It is expected to be used as a safe and effective alternative to synthetic products.

Thiazole derivative based topical nanoemulgel for inhibition of bacterial virulence in surface infections

Objectives

Antimicrobial resistance emerged as a global challenge owing to limited therapeutic options to control infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an MDR pathogen already developed resistance against many conventional antibiotics. An "anti-virulence strategy" that targets bacterial virulence rather than growth proves effective against drug-resistant pathogens.

Materials and Methods

Here, we used a structure-based drug design approach to identify lead molecules using the LasR receptor protein of P. aeruginosa as a target responsible for virulence production in this bacterium. From the identified hits, we developed lead-based nanoformulation and investigated its effectiveness for treating the P. aeruginosa associated surface-infection in-vivo. First, TC-based nanoemulsions were fabricated by high-pressure homogenization and evaluated for various in vitro parameters. The optimized nanoemulsions were thereby utilized to prepare NEG.

Results

The nanoemulsion (F3) exhibited low droplet size (51.04±1.88 nm), PDI (0.065±1.14), and negative zeta potential (-33.65±0.82 mV). In animals, topical application of NEG-3 demonstrated significant improvement on skin permeability (459±10.17 µg), drug influx (18.99±0.76 μg/cm2 hr), and repressed the CFU of P. aeruginosa induced-surface infection (P≤ 0.001). The histology of rat skin demonstrated a significant effect for groups treated with TC-based NEGs as compared with a negative control group, whereas no significant effect was seen on rat liver indicating low systemic exposure to the drug. Also, NEG3 showed no significant changes under different stability conditions after 3 months.

Conclusion

TC-based NEGs open up the possibility of a more effective way to combat serious surface infections caused by P. aeruginosa.

Azelaic acid loaded chitosan and HPMC based hydrogels for treatment of acne: formulation, characterization, in vitro-ex vivo evaluation

In this study, hydrogels containing azelaic acid were developed using chitosan or HPMC (1-7%) for local treatment of acne vulgaris. Physicochemical properties such as viscosity, pH and mechanical properties were evaluated. In vitro release and ex vivo permeability studies were performed using Franz diffusion cell system. The pH of the hydrogels were highly compatible with the skin pH and varied between 4.38-5.84. The cumulative release percentages of the hydrogels at the end of 6 hours were 65-78%, whereas the marketed product yielded 50% drug release. According to the ex vivo permeability results, azelaic acid accumulated in the skin were found to be 9.38 ± 0.65% (marketed cream), 19.53 ± 1.06% (K3), 10.96 ± 1.91% (H6). The antiacne studies with Cutibacterium acnes revealed that K3 (29.45 ± 0.95) and H6 (32.35 ± 0.15) had higher inhibition zones compared to the marketed cream (24.50 ± 0.90). Additionally, the gels were found to be highly stable as a result of the stability studies for 6 months. Among the hydrogels that were prepared based on experimental findings, K3 (3% Chitosan) and H6 (6% HPMC) represented elevated in vitro release profile, higher permeability and increased antiacne activity. The findings of this research suggest that the developed hydrogels might be an alternative to the marketed product.

A Potential Valorization Strategy of Wine Industry by-Products and Their Application in Cosmetics-Case Study: Grape Pomace and Grapeseed

Grape pomace and grapeseed are agro-industrial by-products, whose inadequate treatment generates socioeconomic and environmental concerns. Nevertheless, it is possible to valorize them by extracting their bioactive compounds, such as antioxidants (phenolic compounds), vitamin E and fatty acids. The bioactive compounds were extracted using solid-liquid extraction. The yields for phenolic compounds were 18.4 ± 0.4% for grape pomace, and 17.4 ± 0.4%, for grapeseed. For the oil, the yields were 13.3 ± 0.2% and 14.5 ± 0.3% for grape pomace and grapeseed. Antioxidant capacity was assessed by the assay with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and showed that phenolic extract has higher antioxidant capacity than the oils. Grape pomace and grapeseed extracts exhibit, correspondingly, values of 90.8 ± 0.8 and 87.5 ± 0.5 of DPPH inhibition and IC₅₀ of 48.9 ± 0.5 and 55.9 ± 0.7 μg_extract·mL_DPPH⁻¹. The antimicrobial capacity was assessed by the disk diffusion test, and revealed that, phenolic extracts inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The obtained extracts were incorporated in 10 face cream formulations, with slight modifications in quantities of formulation stabilizers. Their stability was studied for 35 days, and this revealed the possibility of incorporating extracts and oils obtained from by-products as antioxidants in cosmetics, and replacing synthetic ones. As a future recommendation, microencapsulation of the extracts should be performed, in order to increase their stability.

Development and Evaluation of the Wound Healing Effect of a Novel Topical Cream Formula Based on Ginkgo biloba Extract on Wounds in Diabetic Rats

Despite advances in diabetes care, impaired diabetic wound healing remains a significant clinical problem. The present study was aimed at developing a novel cream based on Ginkgo biloba extract and investigating its wound healing effect on full-thickness wounds in diabetic rats. The topical formulated oil-in-water emulsion-based cream contains Ginkgo biloba aqueous extract in an amount of about 1% to 5% as an active agent. The prepared formula was subjected to physicochemical assessment and pharmacotechnical characterization. Eighteen alloxan-induced diabetic rats completing full-thickness excisional skin wounds were randomly divided into three groups topically treated with either a normal saline (control group), the reference drug (“Cytol Centella cream®”), and cream based on the Ginkgo biloba extract. The response to treatment was assessed by macroscopic, qualitative, and quantitative histopathological analysis. The prepared formula showed good physicochemical properties. The rheological behavior of the prepared cream followed a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic pattern at different storage temperatures. The cream, which is a macroemulsion with uniform size distribution, remained stable for 6 months. Skin tolerance studies confirmed the compatibility of the cream with the skin. During the experimental trial, the cream based on the Ginkgo biloba-treated group showed significant improvements over the control and reference groups for both general wound appearance and healing dynamics. This increased rate of closure of wounds in diabetic rats was associated with increased collagen synthesis. Our findings showed that the cream could be a promising and innovative topical treatment with Ginkgo biloba extract for the management of acute diabetic wounds.

Formulation and organoleptic evaluation of Poly Herbal Cream of Punica, Neem, Carrot & Jamun as Active Ingredients

Assuming that herbal preparation is better with fewer side effects than synthetics, natural treatments are more effective than allopathy in terms of side effects for better human body healing. Herbal products have a growing demand in the world market, and the plants have been reported in the literature as having various pharmacological activities such as anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic. The purpose of this study was to develop anti-aging poly-herbal cream by mixing the extract of Punica leaf, Neem Oil, Jamun powder, Carrot powder as the main ingredient, and then creams were developed based on the anti-oxidant ability of herbal extracts and performed their evaluation study. Punica granatam leaves were shade dried and extracted using the Soxhlet method with different solvents such as n-hexane, benzene, and alcohol. Fine extract powder was collected and removed distilled water thoroughly. The cream was formulated into different concentrations, namely F1, F2, F3, and F4. Similar types of research with similar components have been reported, but in this experiment, the formulation is different, and this work is kept cost-efficient and straightforward; it's an attempt to reduce few components and prepare cream and evaluate its potential. According to The International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use ICH guidelines, the cream was stable during stability studies, and F3 turned out to be a better formulation than the other three.

Gold, Silver, and Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Incorporation into Silk Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications: Elaboration, Structure, and Properties

Silk fibroin (SF) is a versatile material with biodegradable and biocompatible properties, which make it fit for broad biomedical applications. In this context, the incorporation of nanosized objects into SF allows the development of a variety of bionanocomposites with tailored properties and functions. Herein, we report a thorough investigation on the design, characterization, and biological evaluation of SF hydrogels incorporating gold, silver, or iron oxide nanoparticles. The latter are synthesized in aqueous media using a biocompatible ligand allowing their utilization in various biomedical applications. This ligand seems to play a pivotal role in nanoparticle dispersion within the hydrogel. Results show that the incorporation of nanoparticles does not greatly influence the mechanism of SF gelation and has a minor impact on the mechanical properties of the so-obtained bionanocomposites. By contrast, significant changes are observed in the swelling behavior of these materials, depending on the nanoparticle used. Interestingly, the main characteristics of these bionanocomposites, related to their potential use for biomedical purposes, show the successful input of nanoparticles, including antibacterial properties for gold and silver nanoparticles and magnetic properties for iron oxide ones.

Combined Oral and Topical Application of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) Alleviates Contact Dermatitis Associated With Depression Through Downregulation Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines

Background: Depression and contact dermatitis (CD) are considered relatively common health problems that are linked with psychological stress. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant activities of pumpkin were previously reported. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the combined topical and oral application of pumpkin fruit (Cucurbita pepo L.) extract (PE) in relieving CD associated with chronic stress-induced depression and compare it to the topical pumpkin extract alone and to the standard treatment. Materials and Methods: Forty male albino rats were exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for 4 weeks for induction of depression and then exposed to (1-fluoro-2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene, DNFB) for 2 weeks for induction of CD. Those rats were assigned into 4 groups (n = 10 each); untreated, betamethasone-treated, PE-treated and pumpkin extract cream, and oral-treated groups. Treatments were continued for 2 weeks. All groups were compared to the negative control group (n = 10). Depression was behaviorally and biochemically confirmed. Serum and mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2, and iNOS, were assessed. Oxidant/antioxidant profile was assessed in the serum and skin. Histopathological and immunohistochemical assessments of affected skin samples were performed. Results: Pumpkin extract, used in this study, included a large amount of oleic acid (about 56%). The combined topical and oral administration of PE significantly reduced inflammatory and oxidative changes induced by CD and depression compared to the CD standard treatment and to the topical PE alone. PE significantly alleviated CD signs and the histopathological score (p < 0.001) mostly through the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the upregulation of antioxidants. Conclusion: Pumpkin extract, applied topically and orally, could be an alternative and/or complementary approach for treating contact dermatitis associated with depression. Further studies on volunteer patients of contact dermatitis are recommended.

Physical characterisation and stability study of formulated Chromolaena odorata gel

AIM

Formulating topical products for skin delivery has always been a challenge for pharmaceutical scientists to fulfil good formulation criteria. Despite the challenges, gel-based drug delivery offers some advantages such that it is non-invasive, painless, avoidance of the first-pass metabolism and has satisfactory patient compliance.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, Chromolaena odorata gel and quercetin gel (bioactive flavonoid compound) were successfully formulated and compared with placebo and conventional wound aid gel. The chromatographic profilling was conducted to screen the presence of phytoconstituents. Subsequently, all formulated gels were subjected to physical characteristic and stability study.

METHODS

Reverse Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) of C.odorata methanolic leaves extract shows a distinct compound separation at retention time 8.4min to 34.8 min at 254nm. All gels were characterised by evaluating their rheological properties including storage modulus, loss modulus and plastic viscosity. Besides, texture analysis was performed to measure the gels' firmness, consistency, cohesiveness, and viscosity index.

RESULTS

From the observation, C. odorata gel demonstrated better spreadability as compared to the other gels, which acquired less work and favourable to be applied onto the skin. Moreover, C. odorata gel showed no changes in organoleptic properties and proven to be stable after 30 days of accelerated stability study at 40°C ± 2°C with relative humidity (RH) of 75%± 5%.

CONCLUSION

C. odorata gel has shown to be stable, reflecting the combination of materials used in the formulation, which did not degrade throughout the study. This work suggests the potential of this gel as a vehicle to deliver the active ingredients of C. odorata to the skin, which can be further explored as a topical application in antimicrobial wound management or other skin diseases study.

Characteristics of the copper-induced viable-but-non-culturable state in bacteria

The antimicrobial applications of copper (Cu) are exploited in several industries, such as agriculture and healthcare settings. While Cu is capable of efficiently killing microorganisms, sub-lethal doses can induce a viable-but-non-culturable (VBNC) state in bacteria of many distinct clades. VBNC cells cannot be detected by standard culture-based detection methods, and can become a threat to plants and animals as they often retain virulent traits upon resuscitation. Here we discuss the putative mechanisms of the Cu-induced VBNC state. Common observations in Cu-induced VBNC cells include a cellular response to reactive oxygen species, the exhaustion of energy reserves, and a reconfiguration of the proteome. While showing partial overlap with other VBNC state-inducing stressors, these changes seem to be part of an adaptive response to Cu toxicity. Furthermore, we argue that Cu resistance mechanisms such as P-type ATPases and multicopper oxidases may ward off entry into the VBNC state to some extent. The spread of these mechanisms across multi-species populations could increase population-level resistance to Cu antimicrobials. As Cu resistance mechanisms are often co-selected with antibiotic resistance mechanisms, this threat is exacerbated.

Modification of Anti-acne Bawang Dayak (Eleutherine bulbosa (Mill.)Urb.) Cream to Propionibacterium acnes

Bawang dayak is one of the traditional medicines in Central Kalimantan, used to treat acne vulgaris. Previous research reported that a cream made with bawang dayak extract's active ingredient could inhibit Propionibacterium acnes' growth. However, bawang dayak has a pungent odor that causes discomfort, where the cream separates after 3 days of storage, which decreases its potency. This study aims to improve the quality of the anti-acne cream formulation of bawang dayak extract from previous studies with the addition of cinnamon, honey, and peppermint. The modified formula of bawang dayak extract cream was evaluated and tested for its antibacterial activity in vitro. The results showed an increase in the organoleptic test, especially the smell, which gave a more comfortable fragrance than the previous formula. The pH measurement of the cream shows the results suitable for topical applications. However, the homogeneity observations show that all the formulas are homogeneous, seen from uniform colors but contain coarse grains. The antibacterial activity test of all cream formulations against P. acnes showed inhibition zone diameter between 14.85 and 17.10 mm, all of which were moderate and larger than previous studies. It can be concluded that the modification of the cream formula with the active ingredient of bawang dayak extract showed an increase in the inhibition zone against P. acnes and improved organoleptic properties.

Formulation of Topical Dosage Forms Containing Synthetic and Natural Anti-Inflammatory Agents for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Topical anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is of major interest because of their fewer side effects compared to oral therapy. The purpose of this study was to prepare different types of topical formulations (ointments and gels) containing synthetic and natural anti-inflammatory agents with different excipients (e.g.,: surfactants, gel-forming) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The combination of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), diclofenac sodium, a topical analgesic agent methyl salicylate, and a lyophilized extract of Calendula officinalis with antioxidant effect were used in our formulations. The aim was to select the appropriate excipients and dosage form for the formulation in order to enhance the diffusion of active substances and to certify the antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects of these formulations. To characterize the physicochemical properties of the formulations, rheological studies, and texture profile analysis were carried out. Membrane diffusion and permeability studies were performed with Franz-diffusion method. The therapeutic properties of the formulations have been proven by an antioxidant assay and a randomized prospective study that was carried out on 115 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The results showed that the treatment with the gel containing diclofenac sodium, methyl salicylate, and lyophilized Calendula officinalis as active ingredients, 2-propenoic acid homopolymer (Synthalen K) as gel-forming excipient, distilled water, triethanolamine, and glycerol had a beneficial analgesic and local anti-inflammatory effect.

Development and Evaluation of Polymeric Nanosponge Hydrogel for Terbinafine Hydrochloride: Statistical Optimization, In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Terbinafine hydrochloride, although one of the prominent antifungal agents, suffers from low drug permeation owing to its hydrophobic nature. The approach of nanosponge formulation may thus help to resolve this concern. Thus, the present research was envisioned to fabricate the nanosponge hydrogel of terbinafine hydrochloride for topical delivery since nanosponge augments the skin retentivity of the drug. The optimized formulation was obtained using Box Behnken Design. The dependent and independent process parameters were also determined wherein polyvinyl alcohol (%), ethylcellulose (%), and tween 80 (%) were taken as independent process parameters and particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and entrapment efficiency (EE) were the dependent parameters. The nanosponge was then incorporated into the hydrogel and characterized. In-vitro drug release from the hydrogel was 90.20 ± 0.1% which was higher than the drug suspension and marketed formulation. In vitro permeation potential of the developed formulation through rat skin showed a flux of 0.594 ± 0.22 µg/cm²/h while the permeability coefficient was 0.059 ± 0.022 cm/s. Nanosponge hydrogel was evaluated for non-irritancy and antifungal activity against C. albicans and T. rubrum confirming the substantial outcome. Tape stripping studies exhibited ten times stripping off the skin quantified 85.6 ± 0.21 μg/cm². The confocal analysis justified the permeation potential of the prepared hydrogel. The mean erythemal score was 0.0, confirming that the prepared hydrogel did not cause erythema or oedema. Therefore, based on results obtained, nanosponge hydrogel formulation is a potential carrier for efficient topical delivery of terbinafine hydrochloride.

Co-Delivery of Imiquimod and Curcumin by Nanoemugel for Improved Topical Delivery and Reduced Psoriasis-Like Skin Lesions

The current investigation aimed to improve the topical efficacy of imiquimod in combination with curcumin using the nanoemulsion-based delivery system through a combinatorial approach. Co-delivery of curcumin acts as an adjuvant therapeutic and to minimize the adverse skin reactions that are frequently associated with the topical therapy of imiquimod for the treatment of cutaneous infections and basal cell carcinomas. The low-energy emulsification method was used for the nano-encapsulation of imiquimod and curcumin in the nanodroplet oil phase, which was stabilized using Tween 20 in an aqueous dispersion system. The weak base property of imiquimod helped to increase its solubility in oleic acid compared with ethyl oleate, which indicates that fatty acids should be preferred as the oil phase for the design of imiquimod-loaded topical nanoemulsion compared with fatty acid esters. The phase diagram method was used to optimize the percentage composition of the nanoemulsion formulation. The mean droplet size of the optimized nanoemulsion was 76.93 nm, with a polydispersity index (PdI) value of 0.121 and zeta potential value of −20.5 mV. The optimized imiquimod-loaded nanoemulsion was uniformly dispersed in carbopol 934 hydrogel to develop into a nanoemulgel delivery system. The imiquimod nanoemulgel exhibited significant improvement (p < 0.05) in skin permeability and deposition profile after topical application. The in vivo effectiveness of the combination of imiquimod and curcumin nanoemulgel was compared to the imiquimod nanoemulgel and imiquimod gel formulation through topical application for ten days in BALB/c mice. The combination of curcumin with imiquimod in the nanoemulgel system prevented the appearance of psoriasis-like symptoms compared with the imiquimod nanoemulgel and imiquimod gel formulation entirely. Further, the imiquimod nanoemulgel as a mono-preparation slowed and reduced the psoriasis-like skin reaction when compared with the conventional imiquimod gel, and that was contributed to by the control release property of the nano-encapsulation approach.

Investigation Utilizing the HLB Concept for the Development of Moisturizing Cream and Lotion: In-Vitro Characterization and Stability Evaluation

The current study aims to utilize the concept of the hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) value of ingredients for the development of a stable emulsion-based moisturizing cream and lotion for cosmetic application. The combination of a hydrophilic and lipophilic emulsifier such as glyceryl stearate (HLB value 3.8) and PEG-100 stearate (HLB value 18.8) were found to be effective to emulsify the chosen oil phase system at a specific concentration to achieve the required HLB for the development of the stable emulsion-based system. The developed formulation was characterized for pH, viscosity, spreadability, rheology, and droplet morphology. The influence of carbopol® ETD 2020 and the concentration of the oil phase on the rheology of the product was investigated and found to be significant to achieve the required thickening to convert the lotion into a cream. The formulation system developed through utilizing the concept of HLB was compared to a product developed through the conventional approach. It was observed that the utilization of the HLB method for the development of an emulsion-based product is a promising strategy compared to the conventional method. The physical stability and thermodynamic stability tests were carried out under different storage conditions. It was observed that the developed formulation was able to retain its integrity without showing any signs of instability during storage.

Exploring the photo protective potential of solid lipid nanoparticle-based sunscreen cream containing Aloe vera

Nowadays, the sunscreen creams are composed of mostly synthetic chemicals and other organic compounds which were found to enter into the blood stream on topical application raising concerns in the scientific community. The scientific community has now shifted their attention to herbal formulations due to toxicity of these synthetic molecules. Aloe vera is a xerophitic plant having excellent anti-oxidant properties. The permeation effect and drug stability of the drug candidate can be significantly enhanced by formulating it into solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN). The main objectives of the study were to formulate and evaluate Aloe vera-loaded SLN sunscreen cream and to determine its photoprotective potential. The Aloe vera-loaded SLNs were formulated by microemulsification technique. The developed SLNs were studied for its entrapment efficiency, poly dispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, particle size, and other characterization techniques. Finally, the optimized SLNs were incorporated into the sunscreen cream and evaluated for its spreadability, viscosity, extrudability, drug content, in vitro drug release, ex vivo permeation, determination of sun protection factor (SPF), skin irritation test, and accelerated stability studies. The in vitro SPF was found out to be 16.9 ± 2.44 and the in vivo SPF observed to be approximately 14.81 ± 3.81, respectively. Stability studies were performed under accelerated conditions and no appreciable changes in the parameters were noticed. The solid lipid nanoparticles of Aloe vera were incorporated into a cream and the SPF of the resultant sunscreen cream was found to be on par with the sunscreens that were currently available in the market.

Nanoemulgel for Improved Topical Delivery of Retinyl Palmitate: Formulation Design and Stability Evaluation

Retinyl palmitate is a vitamin A ester belonging to the family of endogenous natural retinoid and used to treat various skin disorders like acne, skin aging, wrinkles, and dark spots, as well as to protect against psoriasis. Despite the known therapeutic benefits of retinyl palmitate, the conventional topical delivery of retinyl palmitate commonly associated with adverse reactions such as skin irritation, redness, excessive peeling, and dryness. Therefore, the current study aims to encapsulate the retinyl palmitate in nanoemulsion then incorporate it into a hydrogel system to improve the topical delivery and stability. Low-energy emulsification method was used for the nano-encapsulation of retinyl palmitate. The phase behavior study was used for the investigation and the optimization of the formulation. The droplet size of the optimized nanoemulsion was in nano dimension (16.71 nm) with low polydispersity index (PdI) (0.015), negative zeta potential (-20.6 mV). It demonstrated the influence of vortexing on droplet size and PdI during nanoemulsion preparation. The retinyl palmitate loaded nanoemulgel delivery system exhibited significant improvement (p < 0.05) in skin permeability after topical application. Employment of the nano-encapsulation approach afterward dispersion into hydrogel system for the development of a topical delivery system of retinyl palmitate resulted in improvement in its UV and storage stability as well.

Design, Formulation, and Physicochemical Evaluation of Vaginal Cream Containing Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Viola odorata, and Mentha piperita extracts for Prevention and Treatment of Trichomoniasis

Background:

Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted disease that is caused by infection with protozoan parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Metronidazole is the drug of choice for the treatment of this infection. In this study, design, formulation, and physicochemical evaluation of vaginal cream containing Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Viola odorata, and Mentha piperita extracts for the prevention and treatment of trichomoniasis has been investigated.

Methods:

Ethyl acetate extract of E. camaldulensis leaves, water fraction of V. odorata root, and hydroalcoholic extract of M. piperita leaves was prepared and used for anti-trichomonas experiments. Then, based on results, different formulations of vaginal cream containing mixed extracts were prepared and physicochemical evaluation was conducted. In the next step, anti-trichomonas effect of selective formulation was tested in vitro.

Results:

The mixed concentrates containing 2.5 mg/ml E. camaldulensis, 0.06 mg/ml V. odorata, and 1 mg/ml M. piperita showed 100% growth inhibition (GI) during 24 h. Furthermore, the mixture containing 1.25 mg/ml E. camaldulensis, 0.03 mg/ml V. odorata, and 0.5 mg/ml M. piperita showed 92% GI in the first 24 h. The selective formulation passed all of physicochemical test and also showed 100% GI for in vitro anti-trichomonas experiments in the first 24 h.

Conclusions:

The mixed concentrates containing 2.5 mg/ml E. camaldulensis, 0.06 mg/ml of V. odorata, and 1 mg/ml of M. piperita are the mixture which showed the highest percentage of GI (100%) after 24 h. The selective formulation of vaginal cream containing this mixture of extracts was detected 100% GI in the first 24 h.