Antimicrobial and Antityrosinase Activity of Bakuchi Oil-Chitosan Hydrogel With In Silico Insights

In this study, the preparation, characterization, and biological properties of a chitosan-enriched hydrogel containing Bakuchi oil, a valuable natural compound in the fields of cosmetology and pharmacology, are presented. Bakuchi oil, known for its benefits to skin health, was combined with chitosan to develop a biofunctional hydrogel with increased biological activity. The primary aim of this study was to prepare and characterize this new formulation, while the second aim was to investigate its potential in dermatological applications. Chitosan enriched Bakuchi oil hydrogel was prepared and characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and swelling test. Antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxicity, biodegradation, biocompatibility, and antityrosinase enzyme inhibition studies were conducted for the biological properties of the prepared hydrogels. The prepared hydrogels showed positive results in biocompatibility, antibacterial against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, antifungal against various Candida fungi species, and antityrosinase inhibition studies by positively affecting cell viability. These findings indicate that chitosan-enriched Bakuchi oil hydrogel can significantly contribute to the safety of therapeutic products. Bioactivity of the hydrogel is also validated by in silico analysis. However, further clinical studies are recommended to confirm these findings and investigate the long-term effects of this formulation in wider applications.