Design and formulation of a topical hydrogel integrating lemongrass-loaded nanosponges with an enhanced antifungal effect: in vitro/in vivo evaluation

Figures & data

Table 1 Levels and factors used in the applied 3² full factorial experimental design

Factors	Levels
	−1	0	1
X1 (ethyl cellulose:polyvinyl alcohol ratio, w:w)	1:1	1:2	1:3
X2: stirring rate, rpm	6,000	10,000	14,000

Abbreviation: w, weight.

Table 2 Formulations of topical hydrogels integrating lemongrass oil-loaded nanosponges

Ingredients	Lemongrass oil, μL	Ethyl cellulose:polyvinyl alcohol (w/w)	Carbopol 940, % (w/v)	Dichloromethane, mL	Stirring rate, rpm	Curing time, minutes	Double-distilled water, mL
F1	200	1:1	0.4	10	6,000	30	20
F2	200	1:2	0.4	10	6,000	30	20
F3	200	1:3	0.4	10	6,000	30	20
F4	200	1:1	0.4	10	10,000	30	20
F5	200	1:2	0.4	10	10,000	30	20
F6	200	1:3	0.4	10	10,000	30	20
F7	200	1:1	0.4	10	14,000	30	20
F8	200	1:2	0.4	10	14,000	30	20
F9	200	1:3	0.4	10	14,000	30	20

Abbreviations: f, formulation; v, volume; w, weight.

Table 3 In vitro evaluation of lemongrass oil-loaded nanosponges topical hydrogels

Formulation	Particle size, nm*	Citral content, %†	Percentage lemongrass oil released after 6 hours, %†
F1	660±0.059	95.39±2.83	97.51±0.06
F2	832±0.059	94.34±4.74	88.58±0.57
F3	906±0.056	95.85±2.10	89.12±1.84
F4	513±0.019	94.14±3.22	97.12±0.06
F5	525±0.110	95.32±5.69	79.99±0.03
F6	539±0.190	95.66±5.25	36.12±0.03
F7	293±0.044	94.73±4.35	54.14±1.52
F8	353±0.041	96.22±2.99	39.32±1.28
F9	410±0.080	98.40±3.00	26.25±0.39

Notes:

* Values are expressed as mean ± SD (n=5).

† Values are expressed as mean ± SD (n=3).

Abbreviation: f, formulation.

Figure 1 Response surface plot of the effect of ethyl cellulose (EC):polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) ratio (X₁) and stirring rate (X₂) on the particle size of the prepared nanosponges (Y₁).

Figure 2 Morphological studies of the selected formulation F9.

Notes: (A) Scanning electron photograph of dried nanosponges (×5,000). (B) Scanning electron photograph of dried nanosponges (×35,000). (C) Transmission electron photograph of hydrogel integrating lemongrass oil-loaded nanosponges (×2,500).

Abbreviation: f, formulation.

Figure 3 In vitro release profiles of lemongrass oil (LGO) from topical hydrogels integrating LGO-loaded nanosponges in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) at 37°C±0.5°C.

Note: Results are presented as mean ± SD (n=3).

Abbreviations: f, formulation; SD, standard deviation.

Figure 4 Response surface plot of the effect of ethyl cellulose (EC):polyvinyl alcohol ratio (PVA), (X₁) and stirring rate (X₂) on the mean percentage of lemongrass oil released after 6 hours (Y₂).

Figure 5 Antifungal activity of the selected hydrogel formulation integrating lemongrass oil-loaded nanosponges; F9 after 2 and 4 days of treatment.

Note: Values are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (n=6).

Abbreviation: f, formulation.

CamposJSchmeda-HirschmannGLeivaELemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf) polyphenols protect human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVECs) from oxidative damage induced by high glucose, hydrogen peroxide and oxidised low-density lipoproteinFood Chem201415117518124423518

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