Bioactive Potential of Chitosan–Oleic Acid Nanoparticles Loaded with Lemon Peel Essential Oil for Topical Treatment of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

Faten M. Ibrahim; Eman Samy Shalaby; Mohamed F. Abdelhameed; Radwa H. El-Akad; Kawkab A. Ahmed; Mohamed S. Abdel-Aziz; El Sayed El Habbasha; Cristina V. Rodrigues; Manuela Pintado

doi:10.3390/molecules29235766

Molecules (Dec 2024)

Bioactive Potential of Chitosan–Oleic Acid Nanoparticles Loaded with Lemon Peel Essential Oil for Topical Treatment of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

Faten M. Ibrahim,
Eman Samy Shalaby,
Mohamed F. Abdelhameed,
Radwa H. El-Akad,
Kawkab A. Ahmed,
Mohamed S. Abdel-Aziz,
El Sayed El Habbasha,
Cristina V. Rodrigues,
Manuela Pintado

Affiliations

Faten M. Ibrahim: Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Department, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo P.O. Box 12622, Egypt
Eman Samy Shalaby: Pharmaceutical Technology Department, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo P.O. Box 12622, Egypt
Mohamed F. Abdelhameed: Pharmacology Department, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza P.O. Box 12622, Egypt
Radwa H. El-Akad: Pharmacognosy Department, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza P.O. Box 12622, Egypt
Kawkab A. Ahmed: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza P.O. Box 12211, Egypt
Mohamed S. Abdel-Aziz: Microbial Chemistry Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo P.O. Box 12622, Egypt
El Sayed El Habbasha: Field Crops Research Department, National Research Centre, Cairo P.O. Box 12622, Egypt
Cristina V. Rodrigues: CBQF—Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina, Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rua Diogo Botelho 1327, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal
Manuela Pintado: CBQF—Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina, Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rua Diogo Botelho 1327, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29235766
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 29, no. 23
p. 5766

Abstract

Read online

The rising incidence of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) has been leading to the development of alternative antifungal therapies. This study aimed to develop a topical chitosan–oleic acid nanoparticle (CH-OA-NP) cream loaded with lemon peel essential oil (LPEO) for VVC treatment. The characterization of the optimal nanoparticle formulation (F4: 10 g/L CH, 2:1 OA/LPEO ratio) showed high encapsulation efficiency, stability, and controlled release. Moreover, it was characterized regarding its particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and chemical/morphological profile. LPEO-related compounds (e.g., eriodictyol) were identified through LC-ESI-QqTOF-HRMS in the cream matrix, suggesting the preservation of LPEO potential bioactivities after formulation. In silico docking of 12 LPEO metabolites revealed that compounds such as citronellic acid exerted inhibitory effects against several inflammation-associated enzymes (e.g., 14-α-Demethylase). In vitro antimicrobial tests demonstrated remarkable activity against Candida albicans, Gram-negative (e.g., Escherichia coli), and Gram-positive (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. In vivo studies in a rat model of VVC revealed significant antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects of the LPEO-CH-OA-NP cream (5% and 10%), leading to reduced MDA, MPO, and IL-1β levels and increased GSH activity. This novel formulation potentially offers a promising alternative therapy for VVC, addressing the current antifungal therapies’ limitations, counteracting drug resistance.

Published in Molecules

ISSN: 1420-3049 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry: Organic chemistry
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords