Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Chitosan–Alginate Nanoparticles: A Targeted Therapy for Cutaneous Pathogens

Abstract

Advances in nanotechnology have demonstrated potential application of nanoparticles for effective and targeted drug delivery. Here, we investigated the antimicrobial and immunological properties and the feasibility of using nanoparticles to deliver antimicrobial agents to treat a cutaneous pathogen. Nanoparticles synthesized with chitosan and alginate demonstrated a direct antimicrobial activity in vitro against Propionibacterium acnes, the bacterium linked to the pathogenesis of acne. By electron microscopy imaging, chitosan-alginate nanoparticles were found to induce disruption of the P. acnes cell membrane, providing a mechanism for the bactericidal effect. The chitosan-alginate nanoparticles also exhibited anti-inflammatory properties as they inhibited P. acnes induced inflammatory cytokine production in human monocytes and keratinocytes. Furthermore, benzoyl peroxide, a commonly used anti-acne drug, was effectively encapsulated in the chitosan-alginate nanoparticles and demonstrated superior antimicrobial activity against P. acnes compared to benzoyl peroxide alone while demonstrating less toxicity to eukaryotic cells. Together, these data suggest the potential utility of topical delivery of chitosan-alginate nanoparticle encapsulated drug therapy for the treatment of dermatologic conditions with infectious and inflammatory components.

<i>In vivo</i> study of antifungal effects of low-molecular-weight chitosan against <i>Candida albicans </i>

“…Chitosan can also bond to metals, which are critical toxic products involved in the growth of microorganisms (22,26). These characteristics of chitosan lead to its possible use in food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries (22,32,36,37).…”

In Vitro Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial Activities of Azithromycin After Loaded in Chitosan- and Tween 20-Based Oil-in-Water Macroemulsion for Acne Management

“…It is this polycationic character that confers chitosan's antimicrobial properties, which favors interaction with negatively charged microbial cell walls and cytoplasmic membranes. This electrostatic interaction between protonated chitosan and microbial cell walls results in decreased osmotic stability, membrane disruption and eventual leakage of intracellular elements (26). Since the macroemulsion without AZM showed a negative zeta potential value, it is clear that the formation of protonated chitosan is very low.…”

Chitosan Modified Poly(lactic-Co-Glycolic) Acid Nanoparticles Interaction With Normal, Precancerous Keratinocytes and Dental Pulp Cells

“…38 Chitosan-alginate NPs did not have a toxic effect on human monocytes but there was mild toxicity to skin keratinocytes at higher concentration of NPs. 29 Moreover, chitosan and PLGA NPs loaded with chlorexidine dihydrochloride in vitro toxicity evaluation on human gingival fi broblasts was between 20 % and 60 % in all experimental conditions. 9 Poly-γ-glutamic acid/glycol chitosan NPs incorporating p-phenylenediamine (PDA) showed lower cytotoxicity against HaCaT human skin keratinocyte cells than PDA alone.…”

“…9 Chitosan by itself is known to strongly adhere to negatively charged surfaces due to its high charge density at pH< 6.5. 29 The advantages of modifying the surface of PLGA NPs with a mucoadhesive polymer, such as chitosan, may potentially include the inversion of zeta potential, the ability to promote cellular adhesion and retention of the delivery system at the target site. 30 In order to fabricate polymeric NPs for future dental applications, we have tested the positive charged chitosan coated PLGA NPs (PLGAChi NPs) on oral cavity cells.…”