Encapsulation of Mentha Oil in Chitosan Polymer Matrix Alleviates Skin Irritation

Abstract

Abstract. Mentha spicata L. var. viridis oil (MVO) is a potent antifungal agent, but its application in the topical treatment is limited due to its irritancy and volatility. It was aimed to develop more efficient, chitosan-incrusted MVO microspheres with reduced volatility and lesser irritancy and to dispense it in the form of ointment. Simple coacervation technique was employed to microencapsulate MVO in chitosan matrix. Morphological properties and polymer cross-linking were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. Optimization was carried out on the basis of entrapment efficiency (EE) using response surface methodology. Well-designed microspheres having smooth surface and spherical shape were observed. EE (81.20%) of optimum batch (R21) was found at 1.62%w/v of cross-linker, 5.4:5 of MVO to chitosan ratio and at 1000 rpm. R21 showed 69.38±1.29% in vitro MVO release in 12 h and 96.92% retention of MVO in microspheres even after 8 week. Ointments of PEG 4000 and PEG 400 comprising MVO (F1) and R21 (F2) were developed separately. F2 showed comparatively broader zone of growth inhibition (13.33±1.76-18.67±0.88 mm) and less irritancy (PII 0.5833, irritation barely perceptible) than that of F1. F2 was able to avoid the direct contact of mild irritant MVO with the skin and to reduce its rapid volatility. Controlled release of MVO helped in lengthening the duration of availability of MVO in agar media and hence improved its therapeutic efficacy. In conclusion, a stable and non-irritant formulation with improved therapeutic potential was developed.

Physical characterization and antioxidant activity of thymol solubilized Tween 80 micelles

“…In spite of the fact that thymol is a GRAS approved food additive, some researches indicated that thymol could cause irritation of mouth tissues because of its membrane affinity and hydrophobicity1920. It has been reported recently that micelle encapsulation could alleviate irritation of bioactive compounds, such as capsaicin21 and menthe oil22. Although the side effects of thymol might be alleviated by encapsulation, the safety should be still thoroughly assessed before the practical applications in food systems.…”

Effectiveness of Cymbopogon citratus Oil Encapsulated in Chitosan on Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Isolated from Capsicum annuum

“…The collected samples were analyzed by UV spectrophotometer (Perkin Elmer, Waltham, MA, USA) at 223 nm after appropriate dilution. The experiment was performed in triplicate [ 39 ].…”

Keratin–Chitosan Microcapsules via Membrane Emulsification and Interfacial Complexation

“…Microencapsulated oils have a wide variety of applications across a range of industries, including food, household, 1 cosmetic, 2 and pharmaceutical 3 products. Encapsulation within a polymeric shell not only allows their dispersal in a polar environment but also offers benefits such as protection from oxygen degradation, 4 improved retention of volatile components, 1 and controlled release of the contents.…”

“…Encapsulation within a polymeric shell not only allows their dispersal in a polar environment but also offers benefits such as protection from oxygen degradation, 4 improved retention of volatile components, 1 and controlled release of the contents. 3 The diameter of microcapsules can range between 1 μm and a few mm, 5 making them small enough to pass through wastewater treatment plants into aquatic environments, 6 contributing to microplastic pollution when synthetic and non-biodegradable wall materials are used (e.g., polyethylene glycol, 7 polymethyl methacrylate, 8 or melamine-formaldehyde 1 ). The environment is polluted with 36,000 tons of microplastics each year in the EU alone 9 and concerns over the implications for aquatic life and human health have grown with the emergence of studies confirming the presence of microplastics in the entire human food supply chain.…”

“…Microencapsulated oils have a wide variety of applications across a range of industries, including food, household, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products. Encapsulation within a polymeric shell not only allows their dispersal in a polar environment but also offers benefits such as protection from oxygen degradation, improved retention of volatile components, and controlled release of the contents . The diameter of microcapsules can range between 1 μm and a few mm, making them small enough to pass through wastewater treatment plants into aquatic environments, contributing to microplastic pollution when synthetic and non-biodegradable wall materials are used (e.g., polyethylene glycol, polymethyl methacrylate, or melamine-formaldehyde).…”