Antibacterial efficacy of a topical skin cream loaded with nano zinc oxide, cetylpyridinium chloride and chlorhexidine gluconate

Abstract

Nano-based antimicrobial agents are rapidly growing due to their exceptional properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, and lower toxicity. On the contrary, commonly synthesized preservatives are more toxic and partially have undesirable side effects on human health and environment. In the present study, a prominent antimicrobial effect of nanoformulation was achieved by in-vitro assessment of five different clinical pathogens such as S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. typhi, and Shigella along with Zone Inhibition method and time kill study. Penicillin was used as control where the maximum log reduction values reached to four log cycles in skin cream–C with 1.00 % nano zinc oxide (ZnO) and 0.30 % chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) within 30 s of exposure. However, moderate log reduction was observed in skin cream–B with 1.00 % nano-ZnO and 0.30 % cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), where the log reduction values reached to four and three log cycles within 30 s of exposure. In contrast, the lower log reduction values were noticed in skin cream–A with 1.00 % nano-ZnO, where the log reduction values reached to two and one log cycles. Thus, outcome of the study demonstrates that the antimicrobial agents (zinc oxide nanoparticles, CPC, and CHG) could be recommended as powerful candidates which exhibit antibacterial effect against bacterial strains in skin care formulations. This study also highlights the use of cream-based disinfectant containing ingredients that moisturizes the skin.