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Development of Curcumin Encapsulated Liposomes in Chlorhexidine-Loaded Organogel Using Ternary Phase Systems for
Ibilola Mary Cardoso-Daodu1, Margaret Okonawan Ilomuanya1
1Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, PMB 12003, Lagos, Nigeria.
Insights
New curcumin-loaded liposomes in chlorhexidine organogel show enhanced antibacterial activity against common infant umbilical infections. This novel formulation offers a promising prototype for combating omphalitis, a leading cause of neonatal mortality.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Nanotechnology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Neonatal infections, particularly omphalitis, are a significant global cause of infant morbidity and mortality.
- Current topical chlorhexidine therapy for omphalitis is challenged by increasing bacterial resistance from key pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus.
- There is a critical need for novel antimicrobial strategies to effectively treat and prevent neonatal umbilical infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize curcumin-loaded liposomes formulated into a chlorhexidine organogel for potential topical antibacterial application.
- To evaluate the physicochemical properties, stability, and in vitro antibacterial efficacy of the novel formulation against common omphalitis-causing bacteria.
Main Methods:
- Curcumin-loaded liposomes were prepared using the thin film hydration method and characterized for size, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, and drug release kinetics.
- Stable organogels incorporating curcumin-loaded liposomes and chlorhexidine were formulated and assessed for various physicochemical properties including rheology, pH, and spreadability.
- In vitro antibacterial activity was evaluated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus.
Main Results:
- Spherical liposomes with high encapsulation efficiency (97%) and an average size of 7 μm were successfully prepared.
- The optimized formulation (F1), containing curcumin-loaded liposomes in chlorhexidine organogel, exhibited superior spreadability and significant antibacterial activity against all tested pathogens.
- Curcumin release followed the Higuchi model, indicating diffusion and dissolution mechanisms, with higher release observed at pH 5.5.
Conclusions:
- The synergistic effect between curcumin and chlorhexidine in formulation F1 significantly enhances antibacterial potency.
- Curcumin-loaded liposomes within a chlorhexidine organogel matrix represent a promising prototype for developing advanced topical antibacterial treatments for omphalitis.
- This novel formulation demonstrates potential for improved efficacy in combating drug-resistant bacteria responsible for neonatal umbilical infections.
Abstract:
Infections in infants, after childbirth, remain a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, globally. A soaring percentage of these infections arise from bacterial colonization of the umbilicus. Current therapy for omphalitis includes the topical application of chlorhexidine on the umbilicus. Bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, which are the key causative organisms of omphalitis, are resistant to chlorhexidine. In this study, curcumin-loaded liposomes were prepared using the "thin film hydration" method. Liposomes were characterized by particle size analysis, light microscopy, encapsulation efficiency, and flux. Stable organogels were formed via a high-speed homogenization method and stabilized by an emulsifier mix. They were evaluated for stability over a period by observing for phase separation. Four gels F1 (curcumin-loaded liposomes in chlorhexidine organogel), F2 (curcumin-loaded liposomes in organogel), F3 (chlorhexidine in organogel), and control (plain organogel) were prepared. Physicochemical properties of all gels were evaluated such as organoleptic tests, gel-to-sol transition, rheological studies, pH, skin irritancy, spreadability, accelerated stability, and antibacterial activity studies. Liposomes were spherical with an average size of 7 μm and an encapsulation efficiency of 97%. The in vitro release profile best fits the Higuchi mathematical model implying that curcumin release was by diffusion and dissolution mechanism. In vitro release was also higher at pH 5.5. F1 had the highest spreadability of 63 mm2g-1 and the lowest viscosity of 184,400 MPas at a shear rate of 10 rotations per minute with a pH of 6.5. Formulation F1 also displayed the highest antibacterial activity against all three bacteria. It can be concluded that the synergistic interaction between curcumin and chlorhexidine may be responsible for the significant antibacterial potency exhibited in formulation F1. Curcumin-loaded liposomes in chlorhexidine organogel (F1) can serve as a prototype for the development of an antibacterial topical formulation having intrinsic activity and enhanced potency to combat omphalitis.
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