Development, physicochemical characterization, and antimicrobial evaluation of niosome-loaded oregano essential oil against fish-borne pathogens.

Objective: Niosomes have gained attention as a promising drug delivery system for enhancing the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm effects of natural compounds. Oregano essential oil has demonstrated potent antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties against food-borne pathogens.

Methods: In this study, researchers aimed to explore the use of niosomes as a delivery system to improve the efficacy of oregano essential oil against food-borne pathogens. The structural and morphological properties of different niosome formulations were examined. Different formulations of niosomes were prepared and their structural and morphological properties were examined. The antimicrobial and anti-biofilm effects of niosomes containing oregano essential oil were evaluated using microbroth-dilution and microtiter-plate methods, respectively. The biocompatibility of the synthesized niosomes was assessed using the MTT method on human foreskin fibroblasts normal cell line (HFF).

Results: The optimal formulation of niosomes had an average size of 219 nm and an encapsulation efficiency of 61.22%. The release study demonstrated that 58% of the essential oil was released from niosomes, while 100% was released from free essential oil. Furthermore, the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm effects of the essential oil were found to be 2-4 times higher when loaded in niosomes. The biocompatibility test confirmed that the synthesized empty niosomes had no cytotoxic effects on HFF cell line.

Conclusion: Niosomes encapsulating oregano essential oil demonstrated the capacity to inhibit the activity of genes associated with biofilm formation in pathogenic bacteria. This study highlights the significant antimicrobial and anti-biofilm effects of niosomes containing oregano essential oil, suggesting their potential as a suitable drug delivery system.