COCONUT OIL-LOADED CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES FOR THE TREATMENT OF ACNE VULGARIS: CYTOTOXICITY, ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY, AND ANTIBIOFILM PROPERTIES

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is a skin disease that affects 79%-95% of the adolescent population in western societies. The bacterial agent Propionibacterium acnes may colonize sebum-rich follicles, and Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis can be isolated from skin lesions. Hundreds of medicinal plant extracts and oils have been investigated in vitro for antibacterial activity against acne vulgaris. However, new approaches are under development for topical delivery of herbal oils as there is a need for novel and more efficient drug-delivery systems. Considering the attractive properties and advantages of chitosan nanoparticles (NPs), we aimed to develop coconut oil-loaded chitosan NPs and to identify their antibacterial effects, antibiofilm properties, and toxicity profile. Coconut oil-loaded chitosan NPs were prepared using the ionic gelation method based on the interactions between positively-charged chitosan and coconut oil. The NP size was analyzed with a Zetasizer and investigated for antibacterial and antibiofilm effects against P. acnes, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and a mixed culture. The toxicity of the developed formulations was studied with the XTT method using L929 fibroblast cells. These novel chitosan-encapsulated coconut oil NPs showed good antibacterial and antibiofilm effects and are potent candidates for the treatment of acne vulgaris.