Development and Characterization Of Β-Cyclodextrin-Based Nanosponge Gel Containing Herbal Extract using a Quality by Design (Qbd) Approach and its Antimicrobial Activity

Abstract

This research explores the development of a β-cyclodextrin-based nanosponge gel incorporating an extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum to enhance its antibacterial properties. The extract is rich in bioactive compounds, including tannins, phenols, steroids, glycosides, alkaloids, and flavonoids. Nanosponges were synthesized using β-cyclodextrin and diphenyl carbonate as a crosslinking agent, resulting in spherical, porous structures. The nanosponges exhibited stable particle characteristics, with an average particle size of 192.01 nm and a zeta potential of -1.2 mV. The formulated gel showed high permeability and controlled release properties. The nanosponge formulation demonstrated improved antimicrobial activity against E.coli, compared to the Bryophyllum pinnatum extract. The zone of inhibition increased with concentration, reaching up to 13 mm at 1.5 mg/mL (Table 19), compared to only 7 mm for the extract. The findings support the potential of nanosponge-based delivery systems to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of plant extracts, highlighting their promise for future biomedical applications.