title: Preparation and Characterization of Liposomes Containing Essential Oil of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Leaf.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The increased incidence of fungal resistance has necessitated the need to search for new antifungal agents.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The main objectives of the present study were to investigate the effectiveness of the essential oil of Eucalyptus camaldulensis on dermatophytes growth and to formulate and characterize a liposomal gel loaded with the essential oil.
  
  
  METHODS
  The essential oil extracted from the leaves of E. camaldulensis was analyzed by GC-MS. The antifungal activity of this essential oil was determined against Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, Trichophyton rubrum and T. verrucosum, using the well diffusion method. Liposomes were prepared by the freeze-thaw method and evaluation of size distribution was performed using a particle size analyzer. The liposomal gel was prepared using 'hydroxethyl cellulose (HEC) as the gelling agent. The rheologic characteristics were determined by a Brookfield viscometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that the minimum inhibitory volume of the essential oil was 0.125 ml and 95 ± 0.57% of the essential oil was successfully entrapped in the liposomes. The main constituents of the essential oil detected by GC-MS were; phenol, 1, 8 cineole, limonene, alcohol, pinene and terpinen. Results of particle size determination showed a wide range from 40.5 to 298 nm for the different formulations. No significant thixotropy was observed in the rheogram of the formulated liposomal gel.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Liposomal gel formulation of the essential oil may lead to improved antifungal activity.
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran ; Medicinal Plant Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Eskandar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moghimipour
authors.affiliation: Medicinal Plant Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Nasrin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aghel
authors.affiliation: Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, and Department of Medical Mycology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zarei Mahmoudabadi
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ramezani
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Somayeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Handali
keywords: Antifungal Activity; Essential Oil; Eucalyptus camaldulensis; Liposomes