Menthol-based deep eutectic systems as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents for wound healing

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Microbiology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation pose significant unmet medical needs.
• Current treatments often fail to address bacterial adhesion and proliferation effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize novel natural deep eutectic systems (NADES) for antimicrobial applications.
• To evaluate the efficacy of NADES in killing bacteria, preventing biofilm formation, and promoting wound healing.

Main Methods:

• Production and physicochemical characterization of NADES based on menthol and saturated free fatty acids (myristic, lauric, stearic acids).
• Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against a broad panel of microorganisms.
• Biofilm detachment/removal assays using methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Candida albicans, and Escherichia coli.
• In vitro assessment of wound healing properties, including keratinocyte proliferation, migration, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.

Main Results:

• Menthol-based NADES demonstrated effective antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and fungi.
• A specific menthol:lauric acid NADES formulation (4:1 molar ratio) efficiently removed biofilms from MRSA, C. albicans, and E. coli without antibiotics.
• These NADES supported keratinocyte proliferation and migration, reduced cell stress, and controlled ROS production, indicating wound healing potential.

Conclusions:

• Menthol-based NADES offer a promising strategy to combat microbial infections and biofilms.
• These NADES exhibit potential for preventive and therapeutic applications in clinical settings, particularly in wound healing.