Nanotechnology stands to make a big difference in the way acne is treated.
A 0.1% concentration of benzoyl peroxide encapsulated in chitosan-alginate nanoparticles showed more antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria than typical benzoyl peroxide or the nanoparticles alone in a recently published in vitro study (J. Invest. Dermatol. 2012 Nov. 29 [doi:10.1038/jid.2012.399]).
Chitosan-alginate has both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory impact on Propionibacterium acnes, wrote Dr. Adam Friedman of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, and his colleagues. The nanoparticle structure preserves the antimicrobial and immunological properties of chitosan while alginate lends stability.
COURTESY DR. ADAM FRIEDMAN
Wrapping benzoyl peroxide in nanoparticles, such as those pictured in this transmission electron microscopy image, improved the drug's efficacy against P. acnes.
Benzoyl peroxide is, of course, already a first-line therapy for acne, but encapsulating benzoyl peroxide in the nanoparticles stands to reduce the irritating side effects common with topical benzoyl peroxide use, the researchers noted. Less irritation could greatly improve patient compliance.
In the study, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed "severe disruption, destruction, and ‘peeling’ of the cell wall," the researchers wrote. "These images suggest that the cell damage is due to an osmotic disturbance" created by the encapsulated benzoyl peroxide.
Nanoparticle encapsulation "provides previously undescribed therapeutic opportunities, including delivery of multidrug regimens to combat resistant microbes and inflammatory disease states," the researchers said.