Synthesis, physico-chemical properties and anti-bacterial activity of alginate nanogel encapsulated Artemisia diffusa extract

One of the new fields in nanotechnology is the use of nanogels to improve the release of drug and increase its antimicrobial effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of Artemisia diffusa extract encapsulated in hyaluronic acid nanogels against the pathogenic bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In this study, A. diffusa extract was first obtained by maceration method using aqueous solvent. The extract was then encapsulated in hyaluronic acid nanogels and the nanogels prepared were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) methods. The release of the extract was also investigated at different times, temperatures and pHs. Finally, the antimicrobial effects of nanogels encapsulated extract and free extract against the pathogenic bacteria were investigated by the lowest inhibitory concentration (MIC) method. The results showed that the synthesized nanogels had a spherical structure and an average size of 85 nm. FTIR results also showed that the extract was trapped within the nanogel structure. The release rate of the extract had a good pattern. Antimicrobial results showed that the nanogels encapsulated extract had lower MIC than the extract. Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that hyaluronic acid nanogels encapsulated extract have significant antimicrobial effects and it can be used in the pharmaceutical industry in the future with more studies.