Author(s):
Diyah Candra Anita, Dono Indarto, Bambang Purwanto, Vitri Widyaningsih, Paramasari Dirgahayu, Brian Wasita, Betty Suryawati
Email(s):
dono@staff.uns.ac.id
DOI:
10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00386 
Address:
Diyah Candra Anita1,8, Dono Indarto1,2*, Bambang Purwanto3, Vitri Widyaningsih1,4, Paramasari Dirgahayu1,5, Brian Wasita1,6, Betty Suryawati1,7
1Doctoral Program in Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia.
2Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia.
3Department of Internal Medicine, Dr. Muwardi Hospital, Surakarta, Indonesia.
4Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia.
5Department of Parasitology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia.
6Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia.
7Department of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia.
8Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, Universitas Aisyiyah, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 19,
Issue - 6,
Year - 2026
ABSTRACT:
The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance highlights the need for alternative topical antimicrobial systems. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and cinnamon oil (CNO) are known for their antibacterial properties; however, their incorporation into a single nanoemulgel system remains limited. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a ZnO?cinnamon oil nanoemulgel as a topical antibacterial formulation. A nanoemulgel was developed using a Tween 80?Span 80 surfactant mixture (Smix, HLB 10). The optimized nanoemulsion (S?6) was selected based on particle size polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential. Final formulations (F1?F5) containing ZnO-NPs (1% w/w) and varying concentrations of CNO (0.25?0.75% v/v) were prepared in a Carbopol 940 gel base. Physicochemical properties and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were evaluated. The optimized formulation showed a droplet size of 77.9 nm with a narrow size distribution (PDI 0.132) and moderate stability. All formulations exhibited pH values within the physiological skin range (5.5?5.9). Formulations containing both ZnO-NPs and CNO tended to show greater antibacterial activity than single-component formulations, with F1 producing the highest inhibition against S. aureus. Moderate activity against both bacteria was observed in F2, F3, and F5, while CNO alone showed the lowest activity. The ZnO?cinnamon oil nanoemulgel demonstrated appropriate physicochemical characteristics and antibacterial activity, particularly against S. aureus. This formulation may serve as a potential topical antimicrobial system, although further studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness and safety.
Cite this article:
Diyah Candra Anita, Dono Indarto, Bambang Purwanto, Vitri Widyaningsih, Paramasari Dirgahayu, Brian Wasita, Betty Suryawati. Formulation, Characterization and Antibacterial Activity of Zinc Oxide-Cinnamon Oil Nanoemulgel. Research Journal Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(6):2701-8. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00386
Cite(Electronic):
Diyah Candra Anita, Dono Indarto, Bambang Purwanto, Vitri Widyaningsih, Paramasari Dirgahayu, Brian Wasita, Betty Suryawati. Formulation, Characterization and Antibacterial Activity of Zinc Oxide-Cinnamon Oil Nanoemulgel. Research Journal Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(6):2701-8. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00386 Available on: https://www.rjptonline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-19-6-43
REFERENCES:
1. Rodrigues BT, Vangaveti VN, Urkude R, Biros E, Malabu UH. Prevalence and risk factors of lower limb amputations in patients with diabetic foot ulcers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research and Reviews. Elsevier Ltd. 2022; 16(2). doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2022.102397
2. Dharani B, Suba. A. Advancing Diabetic Wound Care with Platelet Rich Plasma: A Systematic Review of Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. Published online July 10, 2025: 337-346. doi:10.52711/2231-5691.2025.00053
3. Guo J, Jiang X, Tian Y, et al. Therapeutic Potential of Cinnamon Oil: Chemical Composition, Pharmacological Actions, and Applications. Pharmaceuticals. 2024; 17(12): 1700. doi:10.3390/ph17121700
4. B V, Firdous J, T K, Priya A S, V S. In vitro Inhibitory effects of Polyherbal Formulation on Biofilm-forming bacteria in Chronic wounds. Res J Pharm Technol. Published online April 22, 2024: 1817-1824. doi:10.52711/0974-360X.2024.00289
5. Tayyib NA. Wound healing applications of cinnamon. In: Cinnamon. Elsevier; 2025: 511-525. doi:10.1016/B978-0-443-21820-0.00030-1
6. Jaiswal A, Senthil V, Das TK. Design and Development of Valsartan Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for the Treatment of Diabetic wound Healing. Res J Pharm Technol. 2019; 12(6): 2922. doi:10.5958/0974-360X.2019.00492.X
7. Mittal RP, Rana A, Jaitak V. Essential Oils: An Impending Substitute of Synthetic Antimicrobial Agents to Overcome Antimicrobial Resistance. Curr Drug Targets. 2019; 20(6): 605-624. doi:10.2174/1389450119666181031122917
8. Öhnstedt E, Lofton Tomenius H, Vågesjö E, Phillipson M. The discovery and development of topical medicines for wound healing. Expert Opin Drug Discov. 2019; 14(5): 485-497. doi:10.1080/17460441.2019.1588879
9. Ashfaq MH, Siddique A, Shahid S. Antioxidant Activity of Cinnamon zeylanicum: (A Review). Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. Published online May 11, 2021: 106-116. doi:10.52711/2231-5691.2021.00021
10. Kaiser P, Wächter J, Windbergs M. Therapy of infected wounds: overcoming clinical challenges by advanced drug delivery systems. Drug Deliv Transl Res. 2021; 11(4): 1545-1567. doi:10.1007/s13346-021-00932-7
11. Liu Y, Liang Y, Yuhong J, et al. Advances in Nanotechnology for Enhancing the Solubility and Bioavailability of Poorly Soluble Drugs. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2024; Volume 18: 1469-1495. doi:10.2147/DDDT.S447496
12. Indalkar YR, Pimpodkar N V., Godase AS, Gaikwad PS. A Compressive Review on the Study of Nanotechnology for Herbal Drugs. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2015; 5(4): 203. doi:10.5958/2231-5691.2015.00031.3
13. Donthi MR, Munnangi SR, Krishna KV, Saha RN, Singhvi G, Dubey SK. Nanoemulgel: A Novel Nano Carrier as a Tool for Topical Drug Delivery. Pharmaceutics. 2023; 15(1): 164. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics15010164
14. Umamageswari SSM, Manipriya B, Kalyani M. Evaluation of antibacterial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles against biofilm producing methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Res J Pharm Technol. 2018; 11(5): 1884. doi:10.5958/0974-360X.2018.00350.5
15. Pino P, Bosco F, Mollea C, Onida B. Antimicrobial Nano-Zinc Oxide Biocomposites for Wound Healing Applications: A Review. Pharmaceutics. 2023; 15(3): 970. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics15030970
16. Vitasovic T, Caniglia G, Eghtesadi N, et al. Antibacterial Action of Zn 2+ Ions Driven by the In Vivo Formed ZnO Nanoparticles. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2024; 16(24): 30847-30859. doi:10.1021/acsami.4c04682
17. Upadhyay PK, Jain VK, Sharma K, Sharma R. Synthesis and Applications of ZnO Nanoparticles in Biomedicine. Res J Pharm Technol. 2020; 13(4): 1636. doi:10.5958/0974-360X.2020.00297.8
18. Motelica L, Vasile BS, Ficai A, et al. Antibacterial Activity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Loaded with Essential Oils. Pharmaceutics. 2023; 15(10): 2470. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics15102470
19. Hou K, Xu Y, Cen K, Gao C, Feng X, Tang X. Nanoemulsion of cinnamon essential oil Co-emulsified with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and Tween-80: Antibacterial activity, stability and slow release performance. Food Biosci. 2021; 43: 101232. doi:10.1016/j.fbio.2021.101232
20. Nirmal NP, Chunhavacharatorn P, Chandra Khanashyam A, Li L, Al-Asmari F. Cinnamon bark oil in water nanoemulsion formulation, characterization, and antimicrobial activities. LWT. 2023; 179. doi:10.1016/j.lwt.2023.114671
21. Humphries RM, Ambler J, Mitchell SL, et al. CLSI Methods Development and Standardization Working Group Best Practices for Evaluation of Antimicrobial Susceptibility Tests. J Clin Microbiol. 2018; 56(4). doi:10.1128/JCM.01934-17
22. Sedaghat Doost A, Stevens C V., Claeys M, Van Der Meeren P. Fundamental Study on the Salt Tolerance of Oregano Essential Oil-in-Water Nanoemulsions Containing Tween 80. Langmuir. 2019; 35(32): 10572-10581. doi:10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b01620
23. Menon P, Nair A /P N. Formulation And Physicochemical Characterization Of Diethylaminoethyl Dextran Coated Liposome As A Drug Carrier And Its Effect On The Rheological Properties Of Carbopol Gel, Doctoral Dessertation.; 2017.
24. Najafi H, Jerri HA, Valmacco V, et al. Synergistic Polymer–Surfactant-Complex Mediated Colloidal Interactions and Deposition. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2020; 12(12): 14518-14530. doi:10.1021/acsami.9b21405
25. Khandbahale S V. A Review-Nanosuspension Technology in Drug Delivery System. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2019; 9(2): 130. doi:10.5958/2231-5691.2019.00021.2
26. Karwal K, Mukovozov I. Topical AHA in Dermatology: Formulations, Mechanisms of Action, Efficacy, and Future Perspectives. Cosmetics. 2023; 10(5): 131. doi:10.3390/cosmetics10050131
27. Roger L. McMullen, Paul Thau, Hemi Nae, et al. Handbook of Formulating Dermal Applications: A Definitive Practical Guide. (Dayan N, ed.). Wiley; 2016. doi:10.1002/9781119364221
28. Shree D, Patra CN, Sahoo BM. Novel Herbal Nanocarriers for Treatment of Dermatological Disorders. Pharm Nanotechnol. 2022; 10(4): 246-256. doi:10.2174/2211738510666220622123019
29. Choudhury H, Gorain B, Pandey M, et al. Recent Update on Nanoemulgel as Topical Drug Delivery System. J Pharm Sci. 2017; 106(7): 1736-1751. doi:10.1016/j.xphs.2017.03.042
30. Almuqbil RM, Aldhubiab B. Bioadhesive Nanoparticles in Topical Drug Delivery: Advances, Applications, and Potential for Skin Disorder Treatments. Pharmaceutics. 2025; 17(2): 229. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics17020229
31. Mitra R, Sharma DK, Ghosh A, Senapati S. Recent advancements in nanoparticle-based topical drug delivery systems for psoriasis treatment. J Drug Target. Published online August 8, 2025: 1-18. doi:10.1080/1061186X.2025.2544783
32. Mendes CR, Dilarri G, Forsan CF, et al. Antibacterial action and target mechanisms of zinc oxide nanoparticles against bacterial pathogens. Sci Rep. 2022; 12(1): 2658. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-06657-y
33. Jaramillo Jimenez BA, Awwad F, Desgagné-Penix I. Cinnamaldehyde in Focus: Antimicrobial Properties, Biosynthetic Pathway, and Industrial Applications. Antibiotics. 2024; 13(11): 1095. doi:10.3390/antibiotics13111095
34. N. Patil C, U. Kolhe S, R. Rode M, S. Lad S, P Mansabdar A. Cinnamon an all-Inclusive Review: Detailed Examination of the Botanical Characteristics, Pharmacological properties, and Therapeutic Potential of Diverse Cinnamon Species. Asian Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Published online September 19, 2024: 249-255. doi:10.52711/2231-5659.2024.00041
35. Francis DV, Jayakumar MN, Ahmad H, Gokhale T. Antimicrobial Activity of Biogenic Metal Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Synergistic Effect on Clinical Pathogens. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(12):9998. doi:10.3390/ijms24129998
36. Nair A, Mallya R, Suvarna V, Khan TA, Momin M, Omri A. Nanoparticles—Attractive Carriers of Antimicrobial Essential Oils. Antibiotics. 2022;11(1):108. doi:10.3390/antibiotics11010108
37. Feng T, Hu Z, Wang K, et al. Emulsion-based delivery systems for curcumin: Encapsulation and interaction mechanism between debranched starch and curcumin. Int J Biol Macromol. 2020;161:746-754. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.06.088
38. Mmbuji AO, Cao R, Li Y, Xu X, Ricky EX. Nanoparticle-Assisted Surfactant/Polymer Formulations for Enhanced Oil Recovery in Sandstone Reservoirs: From Molecular Interaction to Field Application. Energy & Fuels. 2023;37(22):17094-17112. doi:10.1021/acs.energyfuels.3c02742
39. Deshmukh M, Pathan A. Advancements and challenges in the use of surfactants and nanoparticles for enhanced oil recovery: mechanisms, synergies, and field applications. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2025;32(14):8766-8800. doi:10.1007/s11356-025-36237-2
40. Singh T, Shukla S, Kumar P, Wahla V, Bajpai VK, Rather IA. Application of Nanotechnology in Food Science: Perception and Overview. Front Microbiol. 2017;8. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2017.01501
41. Hasan S, Bhandari S, Sharma A, Garg P. Emulgel: A Review. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. Published online November 27, 2021:263-268. doi:10.52711/2231-5691.2021.00047