Chitosan-modified nanoliposomes loaded with tea tree oil: A novel topical gel for managing infections

Tea tree oil has been used for a long time for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, as its major component Terpinene-4-ol has established antibacterial properties. This study aimed to develop tea tree oil-based chitosan-derived nanoliposomes for topical application as an anti-microbial agent and assess its effectiveness. The average size of the nanovesicles was 137.6 nm and the polydispersity index was 0.111. The entrapment efficiency of tea tree oil chitosan nanoliposome was 84.54 %. The in vitro drug release pattern findings indicated that the prepared nanoformulation followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. The cumulative percentage drug release of prepared nanoformulation was 81.81 ± 2.3 % and 88.08 ± 2.5 % at the 12th and 24th hour, while the conventional drug produced only 33.76 ± 1.9 % and 39.97 ± 2.1 %. It was discovered that the quantity of tea tree oil-chitosan nanoliposomal gel identified in the skin increased with time, suggesting a continuous release of the formulation. Confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis revealed that the nanoformulation had a homogeneous distribution compared to the standard sample. The prepared nanoformulation showed a 90.41 ± 1.01 % inhibition of 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) at the highest concentration taken, whereas ascorbic acid showed a 94.35 ± 1.3 % inhibition of DPPH. The nanoformulation offered substantial antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus of the order of the marketed drug ciprofloxacin. The antimicrobial activity was substantially enhanced than the plain oil vouching for the potential of this natural oil-based nanocarrier system incorporated in a gel base for the management of infections by topical route.