FORMULATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF GREEN-SYNTHESIZED ADAPALENE-CONJUGATED SILVER NANOPARTICLES INCORPORATED INTO ALOE VERA GEL FOR TOPICAL MANAGEMENT OF ACNE VULGARIS IN WOMEN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22159/ijap.2026v18i2.57772Keywords:
Acne vulgaris, Adapalene, Silver nanoparticles, Moringa oleifera, aloe vera gel, Topical nanocarrierAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to improve acne treatment in women through the green synthesis of adapalene-conjugated silver nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera leaf extract, incorporated into an aloe vera gel.
Methods: The prepared adapalene-conjugated silver nanoparticles (ADN–AgNPs) were characterized for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential (ζP) using dynamic light scattering, while physicochemical interactions were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Entrapment efficiency (EE) and drug loading (DL) were quantified spectrophotometrically. In vitro release and antimicrobial activity were also assessed.
Results: The optimized formulation exhibited a mean hydrodynamic particle size of 228.5 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.502, and a zeta potential of −24.5 mV, indicating nanoscale particles with moderately broad size distribution and adequate colloidal stability typical of phyto-mediated green synthesis. FTIR spectra showed characteristic peak shifts confirming successful adapalene conjugation onto phytochemical-capped silver nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of crystalline face-centered cubic silver nanoparticles, while additional peaks were attributed to phytochemical capping components. BET analysis demonstrated a high specific surface area (88.29 m²/g), while SEM micrographs showed quasi-spherical nanoparticles stabilized by phytochemical capping. The nanoparticles exhibited high entrapment efficiency (97.85%) and drug loading (48.92%). Incorporation into aloe vera gel produced a stable formulation with suitable pH, viscosity, spreadability, and uniform drug distribution. In vitro release studies showed significantly enhanced adapalene release (97.99±1.89% within 6 h), representing a 2.26-fold improvement over a marketed gel and following anomalous (non-Fickian) release kinetics governed by combined diffusion and polymer relaxation. Antimicrobial evaluation demonstrated strong inhibition against Escherichia coli (13±0.36 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (16±0.14 mm), attributable to the collective contributions of silver nanoparticles, adapalene, and phytochemical constituents.
Conclusion: The developed ADN–AgNPs loaded aloe vera gel represents a promising eco-friendly, multifunctional topical delivery system offering enhanced drug release, antimicrobial efficacy, and therapeutic potential for acne management in women.
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