Thermoresponsive Gels with Rosemary Essential Oil: A Novel Topical Carrier for Antimicrobial Therapy and Drug Delivery Applications
This study investigates the development and comprehensive characterization of innovative thermoresponsive gels incorporating rosemary essential oil (RoEO) encapsulated in poly(lactic-<i>co</i>-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles, with a focus on their potential applications in topical a...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Ludovic Everard Bejenaru Adina-Elena Segneanu Cornelia Bejenaru Ionela Amalia Bradu Titus Vlase Dumitru-Daniel Herea Marius Ciprian Văruţ Roxana Maria Bălăşoiu Andrei Biţă Antonia Radu George Dan Mogoşanu Maria Viorica Ciocîlteu |
| author_facet | Ludovic Everard Bejenaru Adina-Elena Segneanu Cornelia Bejenaru Ionela Amalia Bradu Titus Vlase Dumitru-Daniel Herea Marius Ciprian Văruţ Roxana Maria Bălăşoiu Andrei Biţă Antonia Radu George Dan Mogoşanu Maria Viorica Ciocîlteu |
| author_sort | Ludovic Everard Bejenaru |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigates the development and comprehensive characterization of innovative thermoresponsive gels incorporating rosemary essential oil (RoEO) encapsulated in poly(lactic-<i>co</i>-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles, with a focus on their potential applications in topical antimicrobial and wound healing therapies. RoEO, renowned for its robust antimicrobial, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties, was subjected to detailed chemical profiling using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), which identified oxygenated monoterpenes as its dominant constituents. PLGA microparticles were synthesized through an optimized oil-in-water emulsion technique, ensuring high encapsulation efficiency and structural integrity. These microparticles were thoroughly characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to confirm functional group interactions, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface morphology, X-ray diffraction (XRD) for crystalline properties, and thermal analysis for stability assessment. The synthesized microparticles displayed uniform size distribution and efficient encapsulation, demonstrating compatibility with the gel matrix. Two distinct thermoresponsive gel formulations were developed using varying ratios of Poloxamer 407 and Poloxamer 188 to achieve optimal performance. The gels were evaluated for key physicochemical properties, including pH, gelation temperature, viscosity, and rheological behavior. Both formulations exhibited thermoresponsive gelation at skin-compatible temperatures (27.6 °C and 32.9 °C), favorable pH levels (6.63 and 6.40), and shear-thinning behavior suitable for topical application. Antimicrobial efficacy was assessed against common pathogens associated with skin infections, including <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, <i>Escherichia coli</i>, and <i>Candida albicans</i>. The RoEO-PLGA-loaded gels demonstrated significant inhibitory effects, confirming their potential as effective carriers for controlled and localized drug delivery. These findings underscore the promising application of RoEO-PLGA-loaded thermoresponsive gels in addressing challenges associated with topical antimicrobial therapies and wound care, offering an innovative approach to enhancing therapeutic outcomes. By integrating the bioactive potential of RoEO with the advanced delivery capabilities of PLGA microparticles and thermoresponsive gels, this study paves the way for the development of next-generation formulations tailored to meet the specific needs of localized drug delivery in skin health management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d2e1ecd4a511404fb8f81cb7c5c5bd3d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2310-2861 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Gels |
| spelling | doaj-art-d2e1ecd4a511404fb8f81cb7c5c5bd3d2025-01-24T13:33:58ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612025-01-011116110.3390/gels11010061Thermoresponsive Gels with Rosemary Essential Oil: A Novel Topical Carrier for Antimicrobial Therapy and Drug Delivery ApplicationsLudovic Everard Bejenaru0Adina-Elena Segneanu1Cornelia Bejenaru2Ionela Amalia Bradu3Titus Vlase4Dumitru-Daniel Herea5Marius Ciprian Văruţ6Roxana Maria Bălăşoiu7Andrei Biţă8Antonia Radu9George Dan Mogoşanu10Maria Viorica Ciocîlteu11Department of Pharmacognosy & Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rareş Street, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaInstitute for Advanced Environmental Research, West University of Timişoara, 4 Oituz Street, 300086 Timişoara, RomaniaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rareş Street, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaInstitute for Advanced Environmental Research, West University of Timişoara, 4 Oituz Street, 300086 Timişoara, RomaniaInstitute for Advanced Environmental Research, West University of Timişoara, 4 Oituz Street, 300086 Timişoara, RomaniaNational Institute of Research and Development for Technical Physics, 47 Dimitrie Mangeron Avenue, 700050 Iaşi, RomaniaDepartment of Physics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rareş Street, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rareş Street, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaDepartment of Pharmacognosy & Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rareş Street, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rareş Street, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaDepartment of Pharmacognosy & Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rareş Street, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaDepartment of Instrumental and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rareş Street, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaThis study investigates the development and comprehensive characterization of innovative thermoresponsive gels incorporating rosemary essential oil (RoEO) encapsulated in poly(lactic-<i>co</i>-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles, with a focus on their potential applications in topical antimicrobial and wound healing therapies. RoEO, renowned for its robust antimicrobial, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties, was subjected to detailed chemical profiling using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), which identified oxygenated monoterpenes as its dominant constituents. PLGA microparticles were synthesized through an optimized oil-in-water emulsion technique, ensuring high encapsulation efficiency and structural integrity. These microparticles were thoroughly characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to confirm functional group interactions, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface morphology, X-ray diffraction (XRD) for crystalline properties, and thermal analysis for stability assessment. The synthesized microparticles displayed uniform size distribution and efficient encapsulation, demonstrating compatibility with the gel matrix. Two distinct thermoresponsive gel formulations were developed using varying ratios of Poloxamer 407 and Poloxamer 188 to achieve optimal performance. The gels were evaluated for key physicochemical properties, including pH, gelation temperature, viscosity, and rheological behavior. Both formulations exhibited thermoresponsive gelation at skin-compatible temperatures (27.6 °C and 32.9 °C), favorable pH levels (6.63 and 6.40), and shear-thinning behavior suitable for topical application. Antimicrobial efficacy was assessed against common pathogens associated with skin infections, including <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, <i>Escherichia coli</i>, and <i>Candida albicans</i>. The RoEO-PLGA-loaded gels demonstrated significant inhibitory effects, confirming their potential as effective carriers for controlled and localized drug delivery. These findings underscore the promising application of RoEO-PLGA-loaded thermoresponsive gels in addressing challenges associated with topical antimicrobial therapies and wound care, offering an innovative approach to enhancing therapeutic outcomes. By integrating the bioactive potential of RoEO with the advanced delivery capabilities of PLGA microparticles and thermoresponsive gels, this study paves the way for the development of next-generation formulations tailored to meet the specific needs of localized drug delivery in skin health management.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/1/61rosemary essential oilPLGAnanoformulationthermoresponsive gelwound healingantimicrobial |
| spellingShingle | Ludovic Everard Bejenaru Adina-Elena Segneanu Cornelia Bejenaru Ionela Amalia Bradu Titus Vlase Dumitru-Daniel Herea Marius Ciprian Văruţ Roxana Maria Bălăşoiu Andrei Biţă Antonia Radu George Dan Mogoşanu Maria Viorica Ciocîlteu Thermoresponsive Gels with Rosemary Essential Oil: A Novel Topical Carrier for Antimicrobial Therapy and Drug Delivery Applications Gels rosemary essential oil PLGA nanoformulation thermoresponsive gel wound healing antimicrobial |
| title | Thermoresponsive Gels with Rosemary Essential Oil: A Novel Topical Carrier for Antimicrobial Therapy and Drug Delivery Applications |
| title_full | Thermoresponsive Gels with Rosemary Essential Oil: A Novel Topical Carrier for Antimicrobial Therapy and Drug Delivery Applications |
| title_fullStr | Thermoresponsive Gels with Rosemary Essential Oil: A Novel Topical Carrier for Antimicrobial Therapy and Drug Delivery Applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Thermoresponsive Gels with Rosemary Essential Oil: A Novel Topical Carrier for Antimicrobial Therapy and Drug Delivery Applications |
| title_short | Thermoresponsive Gels with Rosemary Essential Oil: A Novel Topical Carrier for Antimicrobial Therapy and Drug Delivery Applications |
| title_sort | thermoresponsive gels with rosemary essential oil a novel topical carrier for antimicrobial therapy and drug delivery applications |
| topic | rosemary essential oil PLGA nanoformulation thermoresponsive gel wound healing antimicrobial |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/1/61 |
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