Development, Optimization and Evaluation of Nanoparticle Gel Formulation Using Lemon Grass Oil

摘要

Background: The conventional gel formulations employed for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis, are commonly responsible for dandruff and considered to be less efficacious owing to their low viscosity, low retentivity and faster hydration properties when applied to hair and scalp. Objectives: The antidandruff gel formulations are considered to be highly efficacious over the conventional available formulations due to their retentivity for longer periods of time. Additionally, implication of nanocarriers in such systems is considered to be helpful for better assessment of the active therapeutics in the deeper regions of scalp for improving their efficacy. Method: The current research work, entails systematic development of lemon grass oilloaded chitosan nanoparticle gel for improved antidandruff action. Chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by modified ionic gelation method and optimized for the concentrations of lemon grass oil (X_1), chitosan (X_2) and tripolyphosphate (X_3) as the factors using Box-Behnken design (BBD) with design expert software. Furthermore, the optimized nanoparticles were incorporated in the gel formulations containing carbopol 940 and polyethylene glycol 400. Further, the optimized formulations were tested for antifungal activity against malassezia globose. Results: The optimized developed nanoparticles revealed particle size of <100 nm, zeta potential of <20 mV, drug content of >90%, entrapment efficiency of >82% and spherical appearance with smooth surface characteristics. Furthermore, the evaluation of nanoparticle-loaded gel formulation showed excellent viscosity, extrudability, spredability and controlled release characteristics of the active therapeutic agent for longer period of time. In vitro antifungal activity of prepared nano formulation by agar-plate diffusion method against M. globosa showed significant anti-fungal action as compared to the standard ketoconazole. Conclusion: The present work reported effective development of lemon grass-loaded nanoparticle gel formulation as one of the strategies for better control of dandruff.