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Planta Med 2021; 87(03): 253-266
DOI: 10.1055/a-1330-8765
Formulation and Delivery Systems of Natural Products
Original Papers

Formulation of a Semisolid Emulsion Containing Leptospermum scoparium Essential Oil and Evaluation of In Vitro Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Efficacy

Gemma C. Porter‡
1   Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
,
Syarida H. Safii‡
2   Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur
,
Natalie J. Medlicott
3   School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
,
Warwick J. Duncan
1   Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
,
Geoffrey R. Tompkins
1   Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
,
Dawn E. Coates
1   Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
› Author AffiliationsSupported by: Universiti Malaya
Supported by: Lottery Health (New Zealand)
Supported by: New Zealand Dental Research Foundation
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Abstract

Manuka oil, an essential oil derived from the Leptospermum scoparium, has been traditionally used for wound care and as a topical antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory. However, the essential oil is not well retained at mucosal sites, such as the oral cavity, where the benefits of the aforementioned properties could be utilized toward the treatment of persistent biofilms. Within this study, L. scoparium essential oil was incorporated into a semisolid emulsion for improved delivery. The safety profile of L. scoparium essential oil on human gingival fibroblasts was determined via cell viability, cytotoxicity, and caspase activation. The minimal bactericidal concentration of L. scoparium essential oil was determined, and the emulsionʼs antibiofilm effects visualized using confocal laser scanning microscopy. L. scoparium essential oil demonstrated a lower IC50 (0.02% at 48 h) when compared to the clinical control chlorhexidine (0.002% at 48 h) and displayed lower cumulative cytotoxicity. Higher concentrations of L. scoparium essential oil (≥ 0.1%) at 6 h resulted in higher caspase 3/7 activation, suggesting an apoptotic pathway of cell death. A minimal bactericidal concentration of 0.1% w/w was observed for 6 oral bacteria and 0.01% w/v for Porphyromonas gingivalis. Textural and rheometric analysis indicated increased stability of emulsion with a 1 : 3 ratio of L. scoparium essential oil: Oryza sativa carrier oil. The optimized 5% w/w L. scoparium essential oil emulsion showed increased bactericidal penetrative effects on Streptococci gordonii biofilms compared to oil alone and to chlorhexidine controls. This study has demonstrated the safety, formulation, and antimicrobial activity of L. scoparium essential oil emulsion for potential antibacterial applications at mucosal sites.

Key words

Myrtaceae - Leptospermum Scoparium - essential oil - antimicrobial - emulsion - periodontal disease

Supporting Information

    The rheological investigations of semisolid emulsions, including the storage modulus (G’), loss modulus (G”), and loss tangent (tan δ) as a function of frequency, for carrier emulsions and L. scoparium essential oil emulsions at equivalent final oil concentrations, are available in Table S1 as supporting information.

  • Supporting Information


Publication History

Received: 30 January 2020

Accepted after revision: 27 November 2020

Article published online:
12 January 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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