title: Encapsulation of Cardamom Essential Oil in Chitosan Nano-composites:In-vitroEfficacy on Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Pathogens and Cytotoxicity Studies.
abstract: Natural antimicrobial agents, particularly essential oils present an excellent alternative to current antibiotics due to their potent and broad-spectrum antimicrobial potential, unique mechanisms of action and low tendency to induce resistance. However their potential as a viable therapeutic alternative is greatly compromised due to their hydrophobic and volatile nature. The objective of the current research was to explore the anti-pathogenic potential of essential oils in a bio-based nano-carrier system. Six different essential oils were tested on multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens. However, cardamom oil was selected for nano-encapsulation because of most potent anti-microbial activity. Cardamom oil loaded chitosan nano-particles were prepared by ionic gelation method with an encapsulation efficiency of more than 90% and size was estimated to be 50-100 nm. The Zeta potential was more than +50 mV that indicate a stable nano-dispersion. Cytotoxicity analysis indicated non haemolytic and non-cytotoxic behaviour on human corneal epithelial cells and HepG2 cell lines. Cardamom oil loaded chitosan nano-particles were found to exhibit excellent anti-microbial potential against extended spectrum β lactamase producingEscherichia coliand methicillin resistantStaphylococcus aureus. Our results suggested safety and efficacy of cardamom oil loaded chitosan nano-particles for treating multidrug-resistant pathogens hence offer an effective alternative to current antibiotic therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Bushra
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jamil
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research, Institute of Biomedical and Genetic Engineering Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Rashda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abbasi
authors.affiliation: Al-Sayed Hospital Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shahid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abbasi
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Imran
authors.affiliation: PARC Institute for Advanced Studies in Agriculture (PIASA), National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Siffat U
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Industrial Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Faisalabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Ayesha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ihsan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sundus
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Javed
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Habib
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bokhari
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Imran
keywords: MRSA; cardamom essential-oil; chitosan nanocapsules; cytotoxicity; multidrug resistance; natural active agents