Nanolipogel Loaded with Tea Tree Oil for the Management of Burn

GC-MS Analysis, In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

authored by: Rabab Kamel, Sherif M. Afifi, Amr M. Abdou, Tuba Esatbeyoglu, Mona M. AbouSamra
Abstract: The GC-MS analysis of tea tree oil (TTO) revealed 38 volatile components with sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (43.56%) and alcohols (41.03%) as major detected classes. TTO efficacy is masked by its hydrophobicity; nanoencapsulation can address this drawback. The results showed that TTO-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN1), composed of glyceryl monostearate (2% w/w) and Poloxamer188 (5% w/w), was spherical in shape with a core-shell microstructure. TTO-SLN1 showed a high entrapment efficiency (96.26 ± 2.3%), small particle size (235.0 ± 20.4 nm), low polydispersity index (0.31 ± 0.01), and high negative Zeta potential (−32 mV). Moreover, it exhibited a faster active agent release (almost complete within 4 h) compared to other formulated TTO-SLNs as well as the plain oil. TTO-SLN1 was then incorporated into cellulose nanofibers gel, isolated from sugarcane bagasse, to form the ‘TTO-loaded nanolipogel’ which had a shear-thinning behavior. Second-degree thermal injuries were induced in Wistar rats, then the burned skin areas were treated daily for 7 days with the TTO-loaded nanolipogel compared to the unmedicated nanolipogel, the TTO-loaded conventional gel, and the normal saline (control). The measurement of burn contraction proved that TTO-loaded nanolipogel exhibited a significantly accelerated skin healing, this was confirmed by histopathological examination as well as quantitative assessment of inflammatory infiltrate. This study highlighted the success of the proposed nanotechnology approach in improving the efficacy of TTO used for the repair of skin damage induced by burns.
Organisation(s): Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Molecular Food Chemistry and Food Development
External Organisation(s): University of Sadat City
National Research Center, Cairo
Type: Article
Journal: Molecules
Volume: 27
ISSN: 1420-3049
Publication date: 20.09.2022
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Drug Discovery, Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry (miscellaneous), Molecular Medicine, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Science, Organic Chemistry
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27196143 (Access: Open)