Development and evaluation of nanoemulsion gel loaded with bioactive extract of Cucumis melo var. agrestis: A novel approach for enhanced skin permeability and antifungal activity

• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35069
• Publication Date: 2024-07-24T12:50:53Z
• Authors: Ambreen Akhter; Jafir Hussain Shi...; Haji Muhammad Sho...; Muhammad Delwar H...; Mohsin Kazi
• Keywords: Cucumis

The utilization of phytoconstituents in skin care products has emerged as a notable trend due to their recognized safety and therapeutic efficacy. However, the challenge lies improving effective delivery specific tissues, primarily attributed poor solubility low permeability. This study endeavors address this by developing, optimizing characterizing Cucumis melo var. agrestis (CME) extract loaded nanoemulsion gel (CME-NEG), aiming enhance permeability antifungal activity. Herein, nanoemulsions encapsulating plant were prepared using ultrasonication technique characterized for droplet size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI) entrapment efficiency. Further, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis conducted characterize optimized CME (CME-NE 3) formulation. formulation was blended with Carbopol 940 develop CME-NEG, which evaluated release kinetics, vitro permeation High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) confirmed presence gallic acid, chlorogenic 4-Hydroxy benzoic acid (HB acid), kaempferol, caffeic quercetin. Findings 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay showed that ethanolic had highest antioxidant activity (88.88 %). displayed smooth spherical nanodroplets size 175.5 ± 1.56 nm, potential −21.5 0.12 mV, PDI 0.192 0.06, efficiency (EE) 91.35 1.65 %. profile CME-NE exhibited controlled characteristic kinetic mechanism best described Korsmeyer-Peppas (Kp) model. In 24 h study, it observed CME-NEG 58.63 %, significantly higher than plain (CME-PG) an enhancement ratio 2.12. also presented enhanced compared pure extract. conclusion, designed offers promising topical drug system