Chitosan Nanoparticle Hydrogels with Mentha piperita Essential Oil and Menthol: Preparation, Antibacterial Efficacy, and Molecular Docking Analysis
نویسندگان
1 Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
2 Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
3 Noncommunicable Disease Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
4 Student Research Committee, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran;
5 Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
6 Estahban Higher Education Center- Shiraz University, Estahban, Iran
7 Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
8 Noncommunicable Disease Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
doi
YoungResearchersandEliteClub,YI.C.,IslamicAzadUnivچکیده
Antibiotic-resistant skin infections caused by pathogens necessitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies to combat these infections. Natural agents such as Mentha piperita essential oil (EO) and its primary component, menthol, present promising alternatives. In this study, chitosan nanoparticles loaded with EO or menthol were synthesized via ultrasound-assisted ionic gelation and incorporated into hydrogels using HPMC as the gelling agent. Formulations were characterized by DLS, ATR-FTIR, and rheometry. Antibacterial efficacy was evaluated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus using the AATCC 100 method. Molecular docking predicted menthol's binding affinity to key bacterial proteins. GC-MS confirmed menthol (31%) as the major EO component. Nanoparticles were 179-195 nm with a positive zeta potential. ATR-FTIR verified encapsulation, and rheology confirmed shear-thinning behavior. Nanoparticle-based hydrogels demonstrated significantly enhanced antibacterial activity, achieving near-total bacterial suppression. Docking results indicated strong binding of menthol to key bacterial targets, supporting its antimicrobial mechanism. Chitosan nanoparticle-based hydrogels encapsulating M. piperita EO and menthol are a highly effective, rheologically favorable platform for combating resistant bacterial skin infections.
