Australian Scientists Develop Promising Acne Treatment Using Nanoparticles
Australian scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the treatment of acne by using nanoparticles. Researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA) have successfully encased an antibacterial compound, called Narasin, in tiny nanoparticles and applied it in a gel form to acne sites. This innovative approach has demonstrated a significantly higher absorption rate compared to traditional delivery methods. The findings of this study have been published in the journal Nanoscale.
Acne is a common skin disorder that affects approximately 800 million teenagers and adults worldwide. It can have a significant impact on an individual’s well-being, leading to psychological distress such as embarrassment, anxiety, low self-confidence, and social isolation. While there are oral medications available, they often come with detrimental side effects, prompting many patients and clinicians to prefer topical treatments.
Lead author of the study, UniSA Ph.D. student Fatima Abid, highlights the importance of developing effective and safe treatments for acne. The researchers chose to explore the potential of Narasin, an antibacterial compound commonly used in the livestock industry but never before investigated as a viable treatment for acne. The team successfully formulated Narasin into nano-micelles and tested its efficacy against drug-resistant acne bacteria.
The results were promising, with the nanoparticles delivering Narasin to acne target sites and achieving a 100-fold increase in absorption compared to the compound when taken with water. This significant improvement in absorption could potentially enhance the effectiveness of the treatment and minimize side effects.
Professor Sanjay Garg, a pharmaceutical scientist and supervisor of the study, emphasizes the urgent need for new antibacterial therapies for acne. The rise in antibiotic resistance, coupled with the inadequate penetration of current topical drugs into hair follicles in acne sites, necessitates the development of new and effective treatments.
In addition to testing the efficacy of Narasin nanoparticles, the researchers also investigated their penetration into various layers of the skin using pig’s ear skin as a model. The study demonstrated that the nano-micelle formulation effectively delivered Narasin to the acne target sites, surpassing the compound solution’s inability to permeate through skin layers.
This breakthrough in acne treatment could have far-reaching implications. With acne affecting nearly 9.4% of the global population, this innovative approach utilizing nanoparticles could provide a safe and effective solution for millions of sufferers worldwide. Further research and clinical trials will be needed to explore the full potential of this treatment.
The team of researchers involved in this study, including Abid, Prof Garg, and collaborators from UniSA, the University of Adelaide, and Aix-Marseille Université in France, have laid the groundwork for future advancements in acne treatment. Their findings open up new possibilities for the use of nanotechnology in combating this common skin disorder.
Reference:
“Nanotechnology and narasin: a powerful combination against acne” by Fatima Abid, Bhumika Savaliya, Ankit Parikh, Sangseo Kim, Marzieh Amirmostofian, Laura Cesari, Yunmei Song, Stephen W. Page, Darren J. Trottb and Sanjay Garg, 14 August 2023, Nanoscale.
DOI: 10.1039/D3NR01789C