Evaluation of chamomile oil and nanoemulgels as a promising treatment option for atopic dermatitis induced in rats

ABSTRACT

Background: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that remarkably affects the quality-of-life of patients. Chamomile oil is used to treat skin inflammations. We evaluated the efficacy of chamomile oil and nanoemulgel formulations as a natural alternative therapeutic option for atopic dermatitis.

Research design and methods: Formulations were developed comprising chamomile oil: olive oil (1:1), Tween 20/80 or Gelucire 44/14 as surfactant-cosurfactant mixtures, propylene glycol (10%w/w), water and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (3%w/w). In-vitro physicochemical characterization, stability testing and in-vivo assessment of inflammatory biomarkers and histopathological examination of skin lesions were conducted in rats induced with atopic dermatitis.

Results: Nanoemulgels G₁ and X₁ which displayed the smallest particle size of 137.5 ± 2.04 and 207.1 ± 5.44 nm, good homogeneity and high zeta-potential values of –26.4 and –32.7 mV were selected as the optimized emulgel. Nanoemulgels were nonirritating of pH value 5.56, readily spreadable, and were physically stable following 10 heating-cooling cycles. Treatment with nanoemulgels showed a two-fold decrease in duration of skin healing and no spongiosis compared to chamomile oil. Levels of biomarkers were reduced after topical application of both nanoemulgels and chamomile oil.

Conclusion: Nanoemulgels are a potential cost effective, safe topical carrier system for chamomile in treating atopic dermatitis.

KEYWORDS:

• Atopic dermatitis
• chamomile oil
• olive oil
• nanoemulgel
• inflammatory biomarkers

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Dr. Eiman Ibrahim Zaki, Lecturer of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt for her assistance with the histopathology part of this study.

Author contributions

Ragwa M. Farid, Noha S.El-Salamouni and Mai M. Ali contributed to the conception and design of the in-vitro pharmaceutical part of the work. Noha S.El-Salamouni and Mai M. Ali performed the practical in-vitro pharmaceutical experiments. Gihan A. El-Batouti, Sherien A. Abd El-Hady, and Lamia S. Kandil contributed to the conception and design of the in-vivo study. Lamia S. Kandil helped in performing the in-vivo practical work with Sherien A. Abd El-Hady. Ragwa M. Farid, Gihan A. El-Batouti, and Sherien A. Abd El-Hady contributed in writing the paper and interpretation of the data. All authors revised the paper critically for intellectual content. All authors approved the version to be published. All authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer Disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.